North Carolina interconnection applications

North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC)

North Carolina Interconnection Procedures, Forms, and Agreements for State-Jurisdictional Generator Interconnections (NCIP), NCUC Docket No. E-100, Sub 101 – North Carolina Interconnection Procedures, Forms, and Agreements · source

State-jurisdictional interconnections to NCUC-regulated utilities (Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, Dominion Energy North Carolina) where the output is not sold to a third party (NCIP 1.1.1). EMCs and municipal utilities are not rate-regulated by NCUC for this.

Statewide NCIP forms: Attachment 6 Interconnection Request Application Form for Certified Inverter-Based Generating Facility No Larger than 20 kW (with Certificate of Completion); Attachment 2 Interconnection Request Application Form for all others; standard Interconnection Agreement.

20 kW process: screens and approval within 15 business days; minor construction cost estimate within 15 business days; Certificate of Completion after installation, utility may witness test before parallel operation; no parallel operation until witness test performed or waived. Fast Track initial review 15 business days after complete request. Pre-Application Report $500.

<= 20 kW: $200 processing fee; Fast Track $750 (20-100 kW) / $1,000 (100 kW-2 MW); Supplemental Review deposit $750/$1,000; Study deposit from $20,000 + $1/kWac; Pre-Application Report $500.

Liability insurance required (NCIP 6.15): residential <= 250 kW standard homeowner's policy with >= $100,000 per occurrence; non-residential <= 250 kW CGL >= $300,000; non-residential > 250 kW CGL >= $1,000,000; self-insurance possible for creditworthy customers.

Utility MAY require a manual load-break disconnect or safety switch with visible position, padlockable open, accessible, labeled 'Generator Disconnect Switch'; if required by the utility (not by code) for certified inverters <= 10 kW, the utility reimburses reasonable installation cost (NCIP 2.1, 6.16).

Net billing – G.S. 62-126.4 (S.L. 2017-192, HB 589); NCUC Order Approving Revised Net Metering Tariffs, Docket E-100, Sub 180 (Mar. 23, 2023)
Duke: since Oct. 1, 2023 new residential customers take Rider RSC (TOU-CPP, minimum bill, monthly net excess credited at avoided cost) or capped Rider NMB (bridge, up to 15 years); legacy Rider NM closed Sept. 30, 2023, existing residential move to NMB after Dec. 31, 2026. Public Staff states eligibility 1 MW AC non-residential, 20 kW AC residential (as published). Dominion NC terms not reviewed.

EMCs and municipal utilities are not rate-regulated by NCUC and are not required to offer net metering; they set their own interconnection procedures (many munis/ElectriCities members and EMCs use procedures modeled on the NCIP 20 kW / Fast Track structure).