2025 Solar RFP

Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) and Duke Energy Progress (DEP) seek proposals for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects and solar paired with storage (SPWS) projects to be developed in North Carolina and South Carolina. The RFP encompasses two primary acquisition tracks: (1) Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for solar-only and SPWS projects with controllable generation capabilities, and (2) Utility-Owned Transfer (UOT) asset acquisition proposals where Duke Energy acquires substantially completed or operational solar and storage projects.

Proposals must address technical specifications including PVsyst modeling parameters, energy storage requirements per Appendix M, interconnection requirements, and environmental compliance including hydrology assessments and pollinator habitat considerations. Bidders must comply with diverse business participation requirements (Appendix B), provide letters of credit and surety bonds (Appendix C/D/E), and submit detailed site surveys following approved vendor lists and Duke's survey mapping policy (Appendix L). Projects must meet Duke's construction stormwater planning standards and open burning procedures (Appendices I2-I3).

Key deadlines include: Notice of Intent to Respond (NOIR) due August 29, 2025; Project Evaluation Confidentiality Agreement due August 29, 2025; Bid Input Forms due September 30, 2025 for both solar-only PPA and SPWS PPA tracks, and for UOT solar-only and SPWS tracks. Proposals will be evaluated using a standardized scoring sheet (Appendix F) with consideration of economic terms, technical viability, environmental performance, pollinator habitat benefits, and resource security.

Standard interconnection cost estimates and generator interconnection requirements are provided with locational guidance for optimal project siting. The RFP includes template Power Purchase Agreements (Appendices A1-A2), asset purchase agreements (Appendix K with multiple exhibits including assignment agreements, bills of sale, and LGIA assignments), and LOI/term sheet forms for asset acquisition proposals (Appendix J).