York Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Community Solar

The sunnier side of life

Your co-op’s dedication to bringing you a brighter future.

Solar Energy continues to make headlines in the electric industry. At your co-op, we are proud to embrace these emerging technologies and be your trusted source for information. A large portion of our membership has shown interest in solar energy, which is why we have developed special net metering rates, invested in two community solar farms, created step by step instructions on the installation process and an educational program to accommodate anyone who wishes to install solar panels on their home.

YEC Solar Advisory Program
Get your own personalized facts about solar from York Electric before making an investment.

Your co-op is always looking out for you, which is why it is important to us for you to know the facts before you sign on the dotted line. Thinking about solar? Let us walk you through the process to ensure your investment will outweigh your costs. Through our Solar Advisory Program, members who are interested in installing panels on their home or in their yard to offset their electric bill can talk to an expert who will give them an analysis of their installation proposal. Energy Services Representative Brent Clinton works with members each day to find the best solution for them. “It has been very rewarding to help guide our members through a successful interconnection process and educate them about solar energy. Most of all, I have been happy to help members understand the information that is presented by solar companies for their homes. Sometimes this can be misleading, and other times I am able to validate what the company has presented. Either way, there’s no better peace of mind than allowing your co-op to help you make an informed decision about whether or not this renewable plan is right for you,” said Clinton. Learn more about this program.

Your co-op has over 200 interconnected solar systems across our territory and your interest keeps climbing. We have become aware that some members are interested in participating but are unable to make a permanent installation at their residence. That’s why YEC has invested in two community solar farms and is considering offering a third in the future. The first smaller community solar farm was completely subscribed in less than a month. Our second farm, located in our East York Industrial Park, is more than two-thirds subscribed. If you would like to invest in clean, renewable solar energy, please reach out to Brent Clinton at or read about our subscription process here.

YEC’s second Community Solar Farm located in our East York Industrial Park is a hot investment, saving you the overhead and hassle of having panels on your own home. It’s not too late to subscribe, save and go green with community solar. Please go online to yorkelectric.net or call Brent Clinton for questions or to sign up.

We are committed to staying up-to-date with emerging technologies so that we may be your source of power and information. We are proud to be your trusted energy advisor, making your future as a member of YEC brighter than ever.

 

Paul Basha, CEO, York Electric Cooperative

Paul Basha

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Shining New Year: Solar through the power of community

As we ring in the New Year, YEC’s community solar program is shining brighter. It has become more compelling since our Lesslie Community Solar Farm began energy production in September of 2016. The model has rapidly captured members’ interest to the level that we now have a waiting list which continues to increase monthly.

YEC Community Solar

We have worked diligently to find a viable site to build a second farm to meet your needs. I’m excited to announce our efforts will come to fruition this spring. The 180 kilowatt (kW) East York community solar farm will be constructed in the East York Industrial Park located off Park Place Road in York just south of American Eagle Wheel. We project the farm will be built by April depending upon the permitting process and weather conditions.

Investing in clean, renewable energy is important as we grow into the future, and community solar farms offer members an opportunity to invest in solar energy without the cost, hassle, and installation of solar equipment on their home. We see this not only as an investment in the future of energy, but as a way to accommodate the needs and expectations of our membership.

Members can participate for as low as $130 to start the program. Monthly billing will follow the initial fees at the rate of $12 per KW subscription. Subsequently, participating members will receive a solar credit on their bill at the rate of 10 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), which will be based upon the amount of energy the farm produces proportional to their kW subscription.

Our number one goal at YEC is to look out for you and to continue to serve you well. Our industry is changing and so are your needs. We’re not content to only deliver power. We also want to be a reliable resource in other ways, helping you make informed decisions regarding energy-related decisions. In order to do so, we listen to your needs; which improves our understanding, builds trust, strengthens our relationship and fosters cooperation.

Paul Basha, YEC President and Chief Executive Officer
Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Learn more about community solar or other programs we offer, or call (803) 684-4248. Also, if you are considering installing solar panels, please contact us so we can give you the facts about solar and recommend a reputable dealer.

We are here for you!

Paul Basha

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Asplundh’s crews clearing rights of way helps YEC provide safe and reliable electric service. Photo: Oliver Dowdle

Staying Trim

YEC’s right-of-way (ROW) maintenance program helps to reduce outages that can occur in rain, snow or any other weather. Tree trimming helps us clear space around power lines, protecting them from tree limbs and underbrush that can lead to downed lines. Keeping the wilderness back takes constant attention, but it helps keep the power on for you and our linemen safe. See a detailed map of the ROW schedule planned for the first quarter in the Biggers Branch substation area. Questions? Call (803) 684-4248.
Related Topics:
Community Solar
Right-of-Way Schedule

Let us be your source on solar

In the last few months, we have received many questions about solar power, such as:

• Will it reduce my power bill?
• Is solar a less-expensive alternative?
• What questions should I ask solar salespeople?

YEC began researching renewable-energy alternatives about 15 years ago, and we’ve been offering Green Power to our members since 2004. Since then, solar energy alternatives have become available and have generated a lot of consumer interest. And, issues surrounding solar energy alternatives have been addressed by the S.C. General Assembly. There are now two publications with which anyone considering solar should become familiar. The first is SC Act 236, the law governing renewable energy in S.C. The second is the Office of Regulatory Staff’s Cost Shifting Analysis on what renewable energy will cost S.C. citizens by 2021.

Information is key to any large investment. I would encourage all of our members interested in renewable energy to research the pros and cons and do what best fits each individual.

In this column, I am going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions I’ve heard. If I don’t cover it here, don’t hesitate to call. We will do our best to get you straight answers.

Solar FAQs answered

Before even considering investing in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, improve your home’s energy efficiency. This will reduce the size of any system you might install and improve your investment. Otherwise, the cost benefits may be disappointing.

Smaller solar PV systems range in size from about 2,000 watts—or 2 kilowatts (kW)—up to around 13kW. They cost $4,250 to $5,000 per kW. A 2kW system might save a consumer $31 a month. This is a lot of money for a small reduction in your monthly power bill.

If you aren’t sure it’s worth it, visit MySCSolar.com, a website developed by YEC and other S.C. co-ops to help our members. You can plug in your numbers—the generating capacity of a solar PV system, its up-front costs, etc.—to calculate your return on investment. Of course, please contact us anytime if you need assistance.

Questions to ask about solar

We recommend YEC members ask the following questions related to rooftop solar PV systems:

  • How long does the warranty last? When will you have to assume repair or replacement costs?
  • How old is my roof? You need a good roof on which to install a solar PV system. If you have to replace your roof, what will that cost? And, if there’s a storm, will you have to replace the roof and the solar panels?
  • Will solar panels increase my insurance costs? Sometimes, features you might think add value—say, an in-ground pool—can be liabilities. Check with your insurance company.
  • Will renewable-energy tax credits benefit me? Check with your accountant. But one thing’s certain: You will not get a check from the government for installing solar. Tax credits don’t work that way.

We are here to serve you! Allow us to be your trusted resource on solar.

Paul Basha

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Related Topics:
Another bright opportunity
Community Solar 
Renewable Energy
MySCSolar.com

Another bright opportunity

YEC Community SolarRenewable energy is an important part of our future! Over the past several years, YEC has received a lot of inquiries from its members in reference to community solar options. The interest level was so great that your cooperative made plans to establish a community solar project for you. Last fall, YEC constructed its first Community Solar farm, Lesslie Solar Farm, in Rock Hill located off Springdale Road. And, the subscriptions to the farm were sold out within the first two weeks. Since then, the benefits of Community Solar farms have become more appealing, and YEC’s members continue to want to have the opportunity to participate; therefore, YEC will construct two more Community Solar farms this year. Plans are now underway, and we look forward to sharing the details with you in future issues of South Carolina Living magazine and here on our website.

YEC's Marc Howie with CN2 reporter, Mia Macy
Marc Howie, YEC’s Vice President of Community Development, shares the member benefits of YEC’s Lesslie Community Solar Farm during an interview with CN2 News reporter, Mia Macy. Photo: Porter Gable

 

If you determine that installing your own PV solar system isn’t right for you, we encourage you to check into our Community Solar farms where you will be able to participate with renewable energy without the cost and commitment of installing panels on your home. Donna Dessaint, YEC’s solar liaison, is available to answer any questions you may have regarding community solar. Please feel free to give Donna a call at (803) 818-5213.
Related Topics:
Let us be your source on solar
Community Solar 
Renewable Energy
MySCSolar.com

Members can purchase locally generated, renewable energy

UPDATE: Construction is now complete and energy production began the first of September, 2016. All 50 kW of the community solar farm has been sold. YEC is in the process of looking for a site to build a second farm.

YEC Community SolarA new program from York Electric Cooperative will soon allow members to invest in solar energy without actually installing panels on their home.

Under the cooperative’s Community Solar program, available in June, YEC members can sign up to purchase power that will be generated at a 50-kilowatt (kW) solar farm in Rock Hill located near the Galleria Mall.

YEC members can sign up now to purchase some of the solar farm’s renewable energy output. Pricing is:

  • Up-front charge of $100 per kW unit
  • Monthly charge of $12 per kW unit
  • Monthly credit of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
  • One-time administrative fee of $30

Donna Dessaint, YEC member services representative and the co-op’s point person for its renewable-energy offerings, says the Community Solar program offers an affordable, low-risk way to benefit from solar energy without the hassles often involved in roof-top solar installations.

“Participating members avoid designing, permitting, installing, maintaining and insuring their own photovoltaic solar array,” Dessaint notes.

Members benefit, she adds, based on how much solar power they buy.

“Their Community Solar power purchases would offset part of their monthly bill. They would get a credit on their bill, based on the portion of ownership they have in the solar farm.”

York Electric is offering the program in response to member interest, Dessaint says. While the cooperative also assists members who want roof-top solar, consumer research conducted by South Carolina’s electric co-ops shows much stronger interest in Community Solar, she says.

“Many people who expressed interest in solar power recognize the benefits of the Community Solar approach,” she says. “Research in South Carolina has shown that the cost per kilowatt for Community Solar is roughly half that of roof-top solar. You get a better return on your investment by investing in Community Solar.”

Community Solar programs are being introduced by York Electric and other cooperatives around South Carolina. The state’s 20, consumer-owned, independent co-ops have collaborated through Central Electric Power Cooperative, their jointly owned power supply aggregator, to design solar programs for S.C. co-op members.

Donna Dessaint, a YEC member services representative, in front of the solar array at the co-op's Fort Mill office. Dessaint is the point person for the co-op's new solar programs. Photo: Joyce Baker
Donna Dessaint, a YEC member services representative, in front of the solar array at the co-op’s Fort Mill office. For details about the Community Solar program, contact Donna at (803) 818-5213. Photo: Joyce Baker

 

SIGN THEM UP!

These Fort Mill residents are eager for Community Solar

YEC member, Hitesh Patel
Hitesh Patel

Hitesh Patel and Cliff Toole live in different parts of YEC’s service area but face a similar challenge: They both wanted to add solar panels to their homes but just couldn’t make it work.

In Fort Mill’s Sutton Place neighborhood, Patel ran into neighborhood restrictions. “For my house, I was told I cannot install anything on the roof,” he says.

A YEC member for about eight years, Patel has been in touch with the co-op since YEC started gauging member interest in solar options in 2014. He’s pleased that YEC is offering Community Solar.

“What I liked about it is it’s a solar farm. It’s maintained. You don’t have to worry about the maintenance, or calling people–if something’s broken, they’ll take care of it. And you get reimbursed [for the solar power you purchase] on your bill.”

YEC member, Cliff Toole
Cliff Toole

Over in Springfield area of Fort Mill, Cliff Toole had looked into roof-top solar, too. “My house location is not well-situated to install panels,” he says.

Trees would block the sunlight, Toole says, and the pitch of his roof wasn’t right. Plus, he notes, “The house wasn’t built at the correct angle to the sun.”

A co-op member since 2009, Toole says the Community Solar panel helps him achieve a goal to cut back on his personal contribution to the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. “For me personally, it’s always about reducing my [carbon dioxide] footprint,” he says.

Patel is likewise pleased to have an easy way to invest in solar power. “It’s clean energy,” he says. “You can help with the cause for that.”

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[PDF] Community Solar Application Terms

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[PDF] YEC Community Solar FAQ

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Community Solar FAQ

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What is community solar?

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.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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How does community solar work?

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
Category: Community Solar FAQ
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Who can participate?

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.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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Am I buying a portion of the community solar farm, or just the energy from it?

Members are subscribing to the energy produced by the solar farm in relation to the number of kW units to which they subscribe.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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Are there participation term limits?

The overall program term is 20 years. The minimum term participation is 2 years, and requires a 30-day notice of cancellation.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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Is there a limit to the number of kW units to which I can subscribe?

A member must subscribe to at least 1 kW unit, but cannot subscribe to more than 5 kW units.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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What is the average production per year?

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.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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How does the cost of community solar compare to the installation of solar panels on my house?

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.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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If my solar subscription produces more energy than I use, does YEC buy it back?

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.

Categories: Community Solar FAQ, Solar Power FAQ
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How do solar tax credits work?

YEC will use tax credits associated with the Community Solar program which are figured into the program’s pricing.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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What if a storm damages the community solar equipment?

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.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
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What happens if I move?

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.

Category: Community Solar FAQ
Related Topics:
Community Solar Farm 
Renewable Energy 
MySCSolar.com