2023 Solar RFP

Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) and Duke Energy Progress (DEP) issued a comprehensive Request for Proposal for solar photovoltaic projects and solar plus storage (SPS) projects in North and South Carolina. The solicitation seeks renewable energy resources to meet capacity and energy requirements, with opportunities for both solar-only power purchase agreements (PPAs) and utility-owned-and-operated (UOT) solar installations, as well as integrated solar plus battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Proposals may be structured as either PPA arrangements where Duke Energy purchases output from third-party owned facilities, or UOT models where Duke Energy owns and operates the completed projects. For solar-only projects, bidders submit pricing and technical specifications. For SPS projects, proposals must include integrated design of solar generation with co-located battery storage, with technical requirements detailed in appendices covering site layout, PVSyst modeling, construction planning, survey requirements, and energy storage system specifications.

Key evaluation criteria include price/levelized cost of energy, technical soundness, commercial viability, diversity of bidders, environmental and pollinator habitat considerations, and project development schedule. Bid input forms are provided for both PPA and UOT structures across solar-only and SPS categories. Proposals must comply with interconnection requirements, utilize approved equipment vendors per Appendix H, meet stormwater management standards, and demonstrate appropriate bonding and letter of credit support.

The RFP process includes detailed technical requirements for EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) agreements, asset purchase/transfer agreements, regulatory compliance frameworks, and an RSC (Request for Stakeholder Comments) evaluation process. Bid submission requires completion of standardized bid input forms with 8760-hour production profiles, commercial terms, and site-specific technical data.