Renewable Resources
Small System Interconnect Policies
If you are planning to install a renewable energy system, you must contact the cooperative well in advance to coordinate the installation. All forms must be completed and approved by the cooperative, and all fees must be paid, before work begins.
Requirements for Interconnection and Parallel Operation of Generation Facilities
For an interconnected system, CCEC will purchase the energy generated at its avoided cost. Interconnected members also have the option to sell the energy to another entity, such as NC GreenPower.
Residential-scale Solar PV
The cooperative donated a residential-scale, 2.2-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to the NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. The data collected to date indicates that each 1-kilowatt panel installed will produce approximately 1,000 kWh of electricity a year. View the system's current and historic energy production here.
Click here to see the output from a co-op member's solar PV system installed October 18, 2010.
If you are considering installing solar panels on your home, here is a guide to help through the process. Residential PV Consumer Considerations
Residential Wind Turbine 
We provide data on our Web site on the output from a 2.4-kilowatt residential wind turbine at a home on Harkers Island. The home uses an average of 2,732 kWh of electricity month, and the wind turbine generates approximately 230 kWh per month. For each 1-kilowatt turbine, the output is about 96 kWh a month, or about 1,150 kWh a year.
The turbine has its own load-recording meter installed by the cooperative to collect data on how often and how much electricity it is generating.
Click here to view data from 2008-2010.
If you are considering installing at wind turbine at your home, here is a guide to help through the process. Residential Wind Power Considerations
Solar Water Heating
We are collecting data to gauge the cost benefits of residential solar water heating systems that two members have had installed at their homes. The data shows savings of 95 to 125 kWh of electricity a month, 780 to 1,500 kWh a year. Solar Water Heating Study
Geothermal Heat Pump
We are assessing the effectiveness of a geothermal heat pump system at a member’s home. The homeowners saw a 30 percent reduction in his electricity in 2009.
Renewable Energy Projects & Purchases
North Carolina adopted mandates in August 2007 that require electric cooperatives to meet up to 10 percent of their energy sales through renewable energy resources or energy efficiency measures by 2018.
CCEC has been making strides in meeting the state’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS), while helping many members and others reduce their energy consumption along the way.
The cooperative is investing in renewable resources and is collecting data on residential scale wind, solar PV, solar water heating and geothermal systems to help you assess those options for your home. Our goal is to provide accurate information and data so you can make educated choices about renewable energy options.
We buy a share of the wind output and earn renewable energy certificates (RECs), from the 150-megawatt Wind Energy Center in Iowa. We also get a share of the renewable energy certificates from electricity produced at a one-megawatt solar farm at QVC’s Rocky Mount distribution center, as well as other solar projects in the state.
NC GreenPower
The goal of NC GreenPower is to supplement the state’s existing power supply with more green energy – electricity generated from renewable energy sources like the sun, wind and organic matter. As of 2008, NC GreenPower also offers carbon offsets to address growing concerns about the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment. The program accepts financial contributions from citizens and businesses to help offset the cost to produce green energy.
For as little as $4 a month, you can help NC GreenPower build up the supply of green energy. Your $4 contribution each month will add one block (100 kilowatt-hours of green power) to the North Carolina power grid. Large-volume power users can also support NC GreenPower by contributing 100 or more blocks of green power at only $2.50 per block. A different mix of renewable energy will be used.
Click here to find out more. NC GreenPower benefits all 100 North Carolina counties. They work with energy generators in all parts of the state to purchase renewable energy for North Carolina's power supply. The goal is to increase the amount of renewable energy generated. Click here to see the results of current generation projects
