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Investor-owned utilityDominion Energy South Carolina (DESC) interconnection application
Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC) is an investor-owned utility serving 712,679 residential customers in South Carolina (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: PowerClerk (DESC PowerClerk (SC small generator)). Gridpol files Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC) interconnection applications for licensed installers – solar, storage and EV chargers – with single-line diagram and site plan, unlimited for $500 a month.
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Process verified from Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC)’s official sources (see below). Portal, documents, fee and steps confirmed on DESC pages. Not verified: non-residential document list, battery-only interconnection process.
Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC) at a glance
Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc (Dominion Energy)
TypeInvestor-owned utility
EIA utility ID17539
Residential customers712,679 (EIA-861, 2025)
Net-metered residential customers16,383 (EIA-861, 2025)
Service territory23 counties in South Carolina
How to applyPowerClerk – DESC PowerClerk (SC small generator) · official link
Who submitsCustomer (homeowner/account holder; contact info must match DESC account holder). Customer may give installer access in PowerClerk; all agreements are between customer and DESC and all documents require the customer's signature. Installer guide published (PowerClerk Installer User Guide).
Export compensationNet billing – Solar Choice - Rider to Residential Rate 5 (TOU) (PSC Order 2026-374, eff. July 2026); Rider to Non-Residential Rate 16; Buy-All/Sell-All PR-1 alternative
Monthly netting by TOU period (on/off/super off-peak), excess carried forward; accumulated excess paid at avoided cost (PR-1 off-peak winter energy credit) on November bills; minimum bill $13.50; generation meter measures 100% of output; NEM 2.0/3.0 closed.
DESC: application review then engineering technical review; email approval to install. Transfer of service: DocuSign within 3-5 business days, reconnection 5-10 business days. SC GIP: completeness notice within 10 business days; <=20 kW Inverter Process screening 15 business days; witness test within 10 business days of Certificate of Completion (else waived); written authorization to energize and meter replacement within 10 business days after witness test/waiver.
Documents Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC) asks for
- Interconnection application formInterconnection Request Application generated in PowerClerk Gridpol prepares this.
- Other utility-specific documentSolar Energy Program Application and IRS W-9 generated in PowerClerk for digital signature
- Customer signatureCustomer digitally signs all generated documents
- Single-line diagram (one-line)DESC Single-Line Diagram template (inverter/array brands, models, install details; point of interconnection and billing meter number) Gridpol prepares this.
- Proof of insuranceProof of property (liability) insurance >= $100,000 per occurrence (residential)
- Recent electric billDESC electric account number
- Final inspection sign-offRelease from local inspection authority before DESC utility inspection
- Other utility-specific documentInstaller's name and contact information; generation meter socket provided by customer next to main meter; 24/7 access to disconnect and metering
How the Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC) process runs
- Gather installer info, insurance proof, DESC single-line diagram.
- Submit application in PowerClerk; sign generated Interconnection Request, Solar Energy Program Application, W-9; pay $200 processing fee.
- Application review, then engineering technical review; email approval to install - do not buy/install before approval.
- Install (including generation meter socket and disconnect near main meter).
- Local inspection; DESC receives release from local inspection authority.
- DESC utility inspection verifies system matches paperwork.
- DESC installs bi-directional main meter and generation meter; approval to energize.
Fees
| Fee | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| $200 | Residential processing fee (Solar Choice) | Pay online via Paymentus ($3.50 convenience charge) or by check. (SC GIP model form lists $100 for <=20 kW; DESC website states $200.) |
| $50 | Transfer of solar service to new homeowner | Added to next bill after approval |
Utility fees are paid by the installer or customer; they are not part of the Gridpol plan.
Size levels and limits
| Level | Up to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 20 kW Inverter Process (SC GIP Sec. 2) | 20 kW | Certified inverter-based; reserved circuit capacity per phase (150 kW <10 kV, 450 kW 10-15 kV, 500 kW 15-25 kV) before Fast Track screens apply |
| Fast Track (SC GIP Sec. 3) | Larger certified facilities | |
| Study Process (SC GIP Sec. 4) | ||
| Net metering cap | 20 kW |
Offset up to 100% of usage, max 20 kW AC residential / 1,000 kW non-residential; DESC sizes max system from last 12 months usage with capacity factor 1,589 (e.g. 10,717 kWh -> 7 kW).
Storage, EV and stamps
Battery storage
Solar Choice rider definition of customer-generator includes an energy storage device configured to receive electrical charge solely from an onsite renewable resource (Rider to Rate 5). No separate storage application documented.
Common issues the utility lists
- Installing systems without DESC approval (DESC notices 'Installing Systems Without Approval', 'Unauthorized Solar Panel System Installations')
- System does not match submitted paperwork at utility inspection
- Blocked/unsafe access to meter and disconnect (gates, plants, animals)
- Contact info not matching DESC account holder; applicant not the homeowner
- Duplicate application processing fee payments (DESC notice Aug 2018)
Gridpol’s pre-submission check covers these before we file.
Sources
- DESC - Solar for Your Home: https://www.dominionenergy.com/south-carolina/save-energy/solar-for-your-home (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- DESC - Solar Technical Resources: https://www.dominionenergy.com/south-carolina/save-energy/solar-technical-resources (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- DESC Rider to Residential Rate 5 Solar Choice: https://cdn-dominionenergy-prd-001.azureedge.net/-/media/content/rates-and-tariffs/pdfs/south-carolina/electric/riders/rider-to-residential-rate5-solar-choice.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- SC Generator Interconnection Procedures, Forms and Agreements (SC PSC; DESC-hosted copy): https://cdn-dominionenergy-prd-001.azureedge.net/-/media/content/save-energy/global/pdfs/south-carolina/solar-tech-resources/sc-generator-interconnection-procedures-forms-and-agreements.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
Other utilities in South Carolina
- Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC)582,062
- Santee Cooper188,962
- Duke Energy Progress (DEP)143,884
- Berkeley Electric Cooperative (BEC)119,545
- Horry Electric Cooperative Inc.91,545
- Palmetto Electric Cooperative Inc.69,848
- Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative Inc.68,647
- York Electric Cooperative Inc.66,369
- Laurens Electric Cooperative, Inc.59,786
- Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative Inc.57,067
$500 / month
Unlimited interconnection applications. 12-month agreement, signed online. The agreement starts the day you sign; first invoice right away, then monthly.
- Unlimited interconnection applications
- Single-line diagram and site plan for every application
- Pre-submission check against the utility’s requirements
- Homeowner e-signature link for the authorization
- Filing in your utility portal accounts or by the utility’s method
- Utility questions, corrections and resubmissions
- Follow-up through approval, inspection and PTO
- Customer list, exports, API and webhooks
Applications are typically submitted within 2 business days after complete documents. Utility review times are set by each utility.