Let the Sun Shine and Electricity Flow at Pullen, August 2024 Solar Update
Let the Sun Shine and Electricity Flow at Pullen, (August 10, 2024)
Our two solar panel systems have been generating lots of clean energy and reducing Pullen’s electricity costs. Our June drought delivered lots of sun to both our panel systems which produced 13,138 kWh of electricity. During July and August we experienced more cloudy, rainy days which reduced solar production. Cox Building: This 156 panel, 65kW DC system, was connected to the grid on April 15, 2022, (28 months ago). The Poteat Chapel, 50 panel, 22kW DC system was connected to the grid in October, 2023,(9 months of production).Here is a summary of the total production of solar energy for our two systems.
Review of the Cox Building’s Duke Energy Bill and its Impact on Solar Financial Benefits
Duke Energy has changed the way they reimburse solar customers for the solar energy they produce and send to the grid. Energy produced during “Duke’s peak demand times” will be compensated at a lower reimbursement rate and these credits can only be applied during “Duke’s peak demand times”. Peak demand times occur during peak solar production times. In 2023, news articles stated that solar panel systems approved prior to Oct 1, 2023 would be immune from this new billing approach until 2027. Duke Energy’s new rate changes have dramatically impacted the financial benefit of our system. However, the calculations are so complex that it is very difficult to determine the exact impact.
Some other churches are experiencing this same billing problem with Duke Energy. Mickey Fanny, who works for Southern Energy Management and is a Pullen member, has connected us with NCIPL who is petitioning Duke and the NCUC to exempt churches and non profits from Duke’s new pricing strategy. Tony Quartararo asked Southern Energy Management (SEM) to analyze the impact of Duke Energy’s new “Time of Use Rates” policy on our solar savings for the Cox building. Here is a link to the SEM analysis of Cox building electricity costs
-Gail Powell, Earth Ministry
