Solar energy utilizes the light from the sun to produce power. Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy is available anywhere on earth. Solar energy is free, immune to rising energy prices, and can be used to provide heat, lighting, mechanical power and electricity.
The state’s independent, consumer-owned and not-for-profit electric cooperatives ― a trusted source for reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity for more than 75 years ― developed MySCSolar to help you make informed decisions about investing in solar power, proper installation and safety.
Since 1941, York Electric has provided reliable and competitively priced electricity to our members. Your cooperative is your trusted source for energy so that you can truly weigh the cost and benefits of all forms of alternative energy.
Community Solar is an affordable, low-risk way for members to benefit from solar energy without any of the hassles of designing, permitting, installing, maintain and ensuring your own photovoltaic solar array. Research in South Carolina has shown that the cost per KW for community solar is roughly half that of rooftop solar; therefore, you will get a better return on your investment by investing in community solar.
While large investor-owned utilities may provide rebates for rooftop solar devices, the money used for these rebates is recouped in the rate and all customers share in the cost. While YEC is supportive of alternative forms of energy, as a member-owned cooperative, we need to make sure any new offerings are fair and not subsidized by those who are not interested in the program.
Solar energy has come down in price over the years; however, it is still approximately three times the cost of more traditional types of energy.
Community Solar FAQ (12)
Any YEC member in good standing may participate in the Community Solar program on a first come, first served basis. This excludes residential net metering and Advance Pay accounts.
YEC’s community solar array produces approximately 50 kW per month, which is roughly equivalent to the energy used by 7 average homes in YEC’s service area. However, it is important to note that solar production will vary from month to month based on weather and time of year.
Solar communities are groups of solar panels kept at one location. They offer members an opportunity to invest in solar energy without the cost, hassle, and installation of solar equipment on their home. The return on their investment is shown as a credit on their electric bill.
If the community solar arrays are damaged during a storm, members will receive a proportionate share of the energy produced by any non-damaged panels while repairs are made.
If a Community Solar member moves from one home served by YEC to another home served by YEC, the solar energy subscription moves with the member.
If a member moves out of YEC’s service area, the subscription will terminate; the upfront charge paid upon beginning the program is not refundable.
A member must subscribe to at least 1 kW unit, but cannot subscribe to more than 5 kW units.
Yes! If your subscription produces more energy than your home consumes in one month, you will see a credit on your account, regardless of the amount.
While the cost of installing solar panels on a home varies greatly from house to house, YEC has attempted to keep the Community Solar pricing in line with the average cost of putting solar panels on a home.
Members subscribe to the output from YEC’s community solar site for a 20-year period, choosing the number of kilowatt (kW) units for their subscription. One kW unit will produce approximately 150 kWh per month. You can add more kW units at any time, as long as they are available.
When energy production begins, you will receive a portion of the production from the solar community each month, based on the number of kW unit subscriptions on your account.
Members pay a portion of the cost per kW unit upfront, then a monthly subscription fee is charged as a line item on the electric bill. The correlating output of the subscribed kW units is credited back to the member at 10¢ per kWh. Members pay a one-time $30 administrative fee for participating in the program.
- Subscriptions Upfront Charge: $100 per kW
- Monthly Unit Charge: $12 per kW subscription
- Monthly Credit: 10¢ per kWh
- One-time $30 administrative fee
YEC will use tax credits associated with the Community Solar program which are figured into the program’s pricing.
The overall program term is 20 years. The minimum term participation is 2 years, and requires a 30-day notice of cancellation.
Members are subscribing to the energy produced by the solar farm in relation to the number of kW units to which they subscribe.
Solar Power FAQ (14)
Any YEC member in good standing may participate in the Community Solar program on a first come, first served basis. This excludes residential net metering and Advance Pay accounts.
Every year the cost of solar energy systems decreases. Even with these decreases, the cost justification is heavily dependent upon government tax credits. Presently payback ranges between 9 and 12 years, but this could change drastically if incentives were to increase or decrease.
YEC’s community solar array produces approximately 50 kW per month, which is roughly equivalent to the energy used by 7 average homes in YEC’s service area. However, it is important to note that solar production will vary from month to month based on weather and time of year.
Solar communities are groups of solar panels kept at one location. They offer members an opportunity to invest in solar energy without the cost, hassle, and installation of solar equipment on their home. The return on their investment is shown as a credit on their electric bill.
If the community solar arrays are damaged during a storm, members will receive a proportionate share of the energy produced by any non-damaged panels while repairs are made.
If a Community Solar member moves from one home served by YEC to another home served by YEC, the solar energy subscription moves with the member.
If a member moves out of YEC’s service area, the subscription will terminate; the upfront charge paid upon beginning the program is not refundable.
Not at all. The sun’s energy is a great, clean resource which we should utilize.
A member must subscribe to at least 1 kW unit, but cannot subscribe to more than 5 kW units.
Yes! If your subscription produces more energy than your home consumes in one month, you will see a credit on your account, regardless of the amount.
While the cost of installing solar panels on a home varies greatly from house to house, YEC has attempted to keep the Community Solar pricing in line with the average cost of putting solar panels on a home.
Members subscribe to the output from YEC’s community solar site for a 20-year period, choosing the number of kilowatt (kW) units for their subscription. One kW unit will produce approximately 150 kWh per month. You can add more kW units at any time, as long as they are available.
When energy production begins, you will receive a portion of the production from the solar community each month, based on the number of kW unit subscriptions on your account.
Members pay a portion of the cost per kW unit upfront, then a monthly subscription fee is charged as a line item on the electric bill. The correlating output of the subscribed kW units is credited back to the member at 10¢ per kWh. Members pay a one-time $30 administrative fee for participating in the program.
- Subscriptions Upfront Charge: $100 per kW
- Monthly Unit Charge: $12 per kW subscription
- Monthly Credit: 10¢ per kWh
- One-time $30 administrative fee
YEC will use tax credits associated with the Community Solar program which are figured into the program’s pricing.
The overall program term is 20 years. The minimum term participation is 2 years, and requires a 30-day notice of cancellation.
Members are subscribing to the energy produced by the solar farm in relation to the number of kW units to which they subscribe.
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