FIRST ORDER ESTIMATES OF THE POTENTIAL ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION CAPACITY AND ASSOCIATED IMPACTS OF WIDESPREAD COMMERCIAL P.V. SOLAR BUILD OUT IN NORTH CAROLINA

This study uses regional commercial building stock survey data and simulated year-long generation data to determine both the potential capacity and expected grid impact of varying levels of commercial solar PV penetration in the Duke Energy’s DEP and DEC service territories. It estimates the potential utility cost savings and broader economic impact to the commercial sector and provides a data-driven perspective on the benefits and costs of commercial-scale solar in North Carolina to customers and the utility. The results indicate that positive post-financing NPV project are available for all but two identified commercial sectors, suggest innovative financing strategies can broaden adoption to less creditworthy customers and discuss the implications for future grid management and optimization efforts.