State Competitiveness: South Carolina

South Carolina has a state policy that requires utilities to offer net metering with no defined aggregated demand limit.

South Carolina has at least one approved utility green tariff program. Among the state’s five largest utilities by commercial and industrial (C&I) electricity sales, those offering green tariffs account for about 73% of total C&I sales within this top-five group, indicating substantial access for large customers.

South Carolina permits municipal ownership of utilities statewide, subject to certain requirements.

South Carolina has a state consumer advocate office that represents ratepayers.

South Carolina does not allow PPAs, but allows solar leases.

South Carolina requires investor-owned utilities to offer net metering.

South Carolina’s electric utility sector, including distribution utilities, is highly concentrated. The state has a customer concentration (HHI) score of 1,389, which is in the 1,000 to 1,800 range that indicates a moderately concentrated market. This indicates that a small number of utilities serve customers across the state but is somewhat close to having significant competition.

South Carolina does not permit residential electricity customers retail provider choice.

South Carolina does not permit commercial electricity customers retail provider choice.

Electricity generation in South Carolina is provided by a small number of power producers. The state has a generation concentration (HHI) score of 2,269, which exceeds the 1,800 threshold that indicates a highly concentrated market, indicating that electricity production is controlled by a small number of entities, suggesting very limited competition.

North Carolina does not have a state policy allowing for CCA.

South Carolina does not have a statewide interconnection standard, rather guidelines, with size limits of 20kW for residential systems and other fast track guidelines up to 2MW depending on distance from substation.

South Carolina does not have a formal requirement for competitive solicitations, but does have a requirement for demonstrated comparison of alternative options prior to resource acquisition.

South Carolina does not participate in a wholesale market but does participate in bilateral trading through the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM).

South Carolina does not participate in a wholesale market.

South Carolina does not participate in a wholesale market.