Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2021

31 www. ReadMPM. com | www. VOICE forRea l Es tate. com | www.MountPl easantBu i l der s . com P lants figured it out long before we did: how to take sunlight, convert it into energy and store it. There is no denying that following in their footsteps and harnessing solar energy to fuel our daily energy needs is a part of our future. In a city filled with sunshine, whether you’re considering solar panels to help the environment or your bank account, you’re not alone. I have solar panels on my house. For the record, I bought my house with them installed. It took a little digging to figure out how the system works, but every time the sun shines, I know I am saving money. Some months I spend more on a cup of coffee. Before we discuss solar panels, it’s worth examining the big electrical picture and in South Carolina that means Dominion Energy. Danny Kassis, general manager of Strategic Partnerships and Renewable Energy for Dominion Energy South Carolina, explained that as they work towards a goal of net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions by 2050, solar is a big part of their commitment to a diverse, sustainable fuel mix. “In 2015, Act 236 or the Distributed Resources Energy Act that created incentives for solar was unanimously passed. It gave utility companies the opportunity to get in the game by creating programs designed to work with existing federal and state tax benefits. That was step one. In response, we created the Community Solar Program for those who didn’t want to put solar on their roofs and offered it to churches, schools, municipalities and private residents.” Kassis cited three solar farms located in Orangeburg County that cover roughly 80 acres of land and provide 16 megawatts (MG) in total. People quickly subscribed to the program and today there is a waitlist. “The provider delivers energy, and we transfer those benefits of ownership to the individual subscribers,” he said. When the legislative successor, Act 62 or the Energy Freedom Act was passed, it allowed Dominion to develop additional community programs. Kassis explained the progression of ideology behind the second measure. “The first programs started the growth of the South Carolina market with subsidies to make customer financials acceptable. The next step was to encourage a desire to support solar as the right thing to do.” In Dominion’s case, that means big solar farms by third party partners to the current tune of 5,000 acres or 1,000 BY PAMELA JOUAN The Sun Always Rises The Future of Solar Energy in South Carolina So l ar f arms of fer energy for homeowner s who don’ t want to put pane l s on the i r roof s . Photo cour t esy of Domi n i on Ene rgy.