About NC GreenPower > FAQs
General questions
Signup-related questions
Customer feedback questions
Resource-related questions
Volunteer-related questions
General
What is green power?
Green power is electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as the sun, wind, water and organic matter. These resources are replenished by nature and are a cleaner source of energy.
Where does our power come from today?
North Carolina’s power comes primarily from fossil fuels. More than 60% of energy supplied to North Carolina homes comes from coal. Around 30% comes from nuclear power, with a small remainder coming from hydroelectric and petroleum sources.
Why is renewable energy important?
Fossil fuels account for more than 60% of our current power supply. These resources are limited in supply and their consumption produces pollution that can affect our environment. Renewable energy is available in abundance and is much cleaner to use than traditional fuel sources. Using renewable energy in North Carolina can result in cleaner air and water, and a more stable energy supply for the future.
How does NC GreenPower work?
NC GreenPower is an independent, nonprofit program that uses voluntary contributions to encourage the development of electricity generated from renewable energy sources to add more green power to the state’s power supply. Individuals may contribute as little as $4 per month to add one block of 100 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy to the electric supply. More contributions means more renewable energy can be available, making North Carolina’s environment healthier for us all.
How did NC GreenPower get started?
For more than two years, a committee representing consumers, electric utilities, the environmental community, technology suppliers, the various state agencies and Advanced Energy worked together to create a statewide program that would add more renewable energy sources to the state’s power supply. In January 2003, the N.C. Utilities Commission approved the program plan for NC GreenPower.
How is the NC GreenPower program administered?
NC GreenPower is administered by Advanced Energy, an independent, non-profit, Raleigh-based corporation with more than 25 years of experience working with renewable energy, energy efficiency and the electric utilities. Advanced Energy formed the separate nonprofit entity, NC GreenPower, which is governed by a board of directors with representation from consumers, state government, technology, environmental advocacy groups and electric utilities.
Are other states developing green power programs? How is North Carolina’s program different?
Electric utilities in 33 other states are now offering green energy programs. North Carolina is the first state that has developed a statewide, multi-utility plan for green power. Other states have programs that are developed by individual utility companies. North Carolina was determined to take a careful and thoughtful approach in order to develop a program that will be most successful.
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Signup
How can I help?
You can help protect the environment by contributing to the NC GreenPower program. You may contribute as much as you like, in increments of $4 per 100 kWh block added to the grid. Simply sign up to be a NC GreenPower contributor through your electric utility. For your convenience, the contribution you specify will be added to your electric bill every month. The utility will forward all contributions in full amount to NC GreenPower. Direct contributions are also accepted. Make checks payable to NC GreenPower and mail to:
NC GreenPower
ATTN: Accounts Receivable
909 Capability Drive, Suite 2100
Raleigh, NC 27606-3870
Are there other ways to participate?
NC GreenPower offers a gift card program, which allows purchasers to buy renewable energy from NC GreenPower in honor or memory of someone special. Gift cards are a great way to celebrate a birthday, holiday, special event or to send a special personalized message to some special. Recipients receive a personalized card detailing the purchase and the environmental benefits of the green power generated in their name.
Green powered events are another way to support the program. Organizers can offset the electrical usage and emissions of their event with an equivalent purchase of renewable energy through NC GreenPower. Purchasers will receive a certificate to display at their event designating it a “Green Powered event.” Powering an event with green power is a great way to support conservation initiatives and show attendees you care about the environment.
Where does my contribution go?
Your contribution will go directly to encourage the development of more renewable energy sources in North Carolina. All participating electric utilities have volunteered to collect their customers’ contributions and send the entire contribution to NC GreenPower. That saves us the cost of administrative fees – a big cost savings for a nonprofit organization like NC GreenPower.
How does my contribution work?
For every $4 contributed to the program, 100 kWh of renewable energy will be subscribed for generation from a generator located in North Carolina. Because the technologies used in the NC GreenPower program are relatively new, the cost of generation is slightly higher than traditional resources. The money contributed to the program will be paid to the independent producers (not utilities) supplying green power to the program. The payment is a premium, over and above the payment they receive from their local utility for power added to the grid. The purpose of the payment is to offset generation costs and help make these projects economically feasible in these early stages of the industry. By helping these projects survive, more renewable energy will be added to our power supply and displace generation that would have been required from traditional, less environmentally-friendly resources. More renewable energy generation means a better environment for all North Carolinians.
Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Yes. Because NC GreenPower is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization, your donation is deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Consult your tax professional for more information.
Does NC GreenPower keep part of my contribution? What other funds are used?
NC GreenPower retains 25% of all contributions to the program to pay for administrative and marketing costs. That translates to $1 out of every $4. This amount is standard in many green power programs across the nation and is necessary to support outreach and educational activities. Additional funds are also derived from corporate contributions and from utility participation. NC GreenPower also receives funding from grants for specific program activities.
I hear people talk about $4 per 100 kilowatt-hours added to the grid. How much electricity is that?
For every $4 contributed to the program, 100 kWh is added to the state’s power supply. That 100 kWh is equivalent to the electricity used by a full-sized refrigerator in a month, or equivalent to about 1/10th of a 2,000 sq. ft. home’s monthly power usage. - program diagram -
Can $4 really make a difference?
Yes. Just one block of 100 kWh of electricity, priced at $4 per month and subscribed each month for a year, can approximately offset the annual equivalency of 2,500 lbs. of carbon dioxide (CO2) that would have been released from the generation of an equivalent amount of energy generated from coal. In fact, it takes more than 900 lbs. of coal to generate the same amount of energy. Environmentally, one block of green power subscribed each month is equivalent to planting around 190 trees or not driving your car for more than 3,000 miles.
Can businesses contribute to NC GreenPower?
Absolutely. We invite any North Carolina business to help us protect the environment while increasing our supply of renewable energy. Large-volume users may contribute a minimum of $250 toward renewable energy. Small to mid-size businesses may be interested in contributing a minimum of $4 per block of renewable energy. Simply contact your electric utility representative to sign up.
NC GreenPower also welcomes corporate sponsors at all levels. For more information, call: 919-857-9000 / 866-533-NCGP.
Does NC GreenPower do presentations? Where I can I see one?
NC GreenPower makes more than 100 presentations every year on the program, at various locations across the state. Presentations are usually free and many are open to anyone wishing to attend. The main page of this website contains a calendar of upcoming activities. Individuals wishing to schedule a free presentation for groups of 10 or more may do so on the Speakers Bureau page of the Website or by calling 866-533-NCGP.
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Feedback
How many participants are there in the program?
The number of participants is constantly changing as more and more individuals join the program. For the most recent program numbers, view the latest issue of the quarterly electronic newsletter.
Are there any updates for current participants available? What’s going on with the program?
To keep costs down and resource consumption at a minimum, NC GreenPower keeps customer mailings to a minimum. But those interested in keeping up with the goings on of the program may do so through our quarterly electronic newsletter. The newsletter contains program updates as well as news and issues that interest participants. Subscribe to the newsletter online to have updates sent quarterly to you via email.
How much of our energy supply comes from renewable resources?
Excepting large scale hydroelectric power, less than 1% of our current power supply comes from renewable resources. Despite the small percentage, that number is continuing to grow through the participation of NC GreenPower subscribers. Currently, more than 30 million kilowatt-hours per year are generated by NC GreenPower generators and added to the power grid.
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Resources
Where will the renewable energy come from?
Electricity from renewable energy is typically generated by small local generators. As with any new undertaking, converting natural resources such as solar power and wind into electric energy initially costs more than traditional energy sources. The NC GreenPower program is designed to encourage the development and production of more green energy by growing the availability of green power sources.
What are the resources used to supply the program?
NC GreenPower is working to add renewable energy to the state’s power supply from a variety of resources. Currently, the program accepts generation for its $4 product (what most consumers purchase) from solar, wind, landfill methane and biomass resources put into service after January 1, 2001. The purpose of the product is to add new renewable energy sources to the power grid. For large volume purchasers, a slightly different mix is provided, including all of the resources of the $4 product, as well as small hydroelectric power and clean wood waste. The large volume product also permits resources put into service prior to 2001, in order to help maintain existing supplies of renewable energy. The large volume product is priced at $2.50 per 100 kWh and is available to purchasers of 100 blocks or more per month.
How are producers selected?
Most producers are selected through a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process. When new generation is required to support NC GreenPower participant subscriptions, the program resource committee will issue an RFP for specific resources needed to complete the current resource mix. Interested producers are invited to prepare proposals detailing their projects, costs, timelines, etc., from which the resource committee will select generators for the program.
An exception to this process involves small wind and solar installations of 10 kW or less capacity. These installations are permitted to enter an expedited generation contract that forgoes the RFP process. This expedited process will be available so long as generation of small wind and solar is needed. As with all resources, interconnection must be completed and a power purchase agreement obtained prior to the producer being eligible to provide generation for the program and receive payments for power added to the grid.
Is there a current list of producers to the NC GreenPower program?
Current generators are listed on the NC GreenPower website and are updated frequently. The list is accessible from the welcome page and also available from each of the resource pages on the site.
I am interested in putting solar power (or wind) on my home. Where can I find information about that?
Some excellent information is available for viewing and download on the NC GreenPower website. Documents are located on each of the respective resource pages. For more detailed information, the N.C. Solar Center provides excellent resources for homeowners wishing to learn more about renewable energy technologies for the home. Visit the N.C. Solar Center website or call 800.33.NCSUN for more information.
Does NC GreenPower provide funds for equipment and technologies?
No, NC GreenPower does not provide loans, grants or any other financial subsidy toward the purchase of renewable energy technologies. The NC GreenPower program only provides financial premiums for energy added to the grid by qualified program generators.
Are there financial incentives available to help offset the purchase of equipment?
Yes. North Carolina offers very attractive financial incentives for individuals and organizations interested in purchasing and installing renewable energy technologies. There are also federal incentives available, as well as a number of lenders offering energy efficient mortgages that can assist in offsetting the initial costs of equipment. For a complete listing of financial incentives available, please visit the DSIRE website (maintained by the N.C. Solar Center).
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Volunteering
How can I help NC GreenPower promote its message?
The first thing to do is sign up for the program. The more participants, the more renewable energy that can be generated in our state. The second thing is to tell others about the program. NC GreenPower is a consumer-driven program. That means it needs more and more participants to do the most good. So tell someone about the program and how easy it is to make a difference. And if you are interested in volunteer opportunities, the NC GreenPower Speakers Bureau is a great way to put your energies to work to help grow the program. Speakers Bureau volunteers receive training on program particulars and have access to a variety of tools to help share the message of renewable energy with others. Plus they will join a network of more than 100 other volunteers working across the state to carry NC GreenPower to all communities in North Carolina. Those interested in participating in the Speakers Bureau should call 866-533-NCGP or email speaker@ncgreenpower.org.
I can’t volunteer right now, but want to help promote the program. What can I do?
We are always looking for new ways to connect to the public. If you know of speaking opportunities or events that would benefit the program, please contact NC GreenPower at 866-533-NCGP. And if your company has an employee gift matching program, please contact them to add NC GreenPower to their eligible list of participants. And encourage your employer to become an NC GreenPower sponsor. Becoming a corporate sponsor of NC GreenPower helps our state’s energy and environment and provides important marketing and public relations benefits to the sponsor.
Of course, as always, the best thing you can do is tell someone else about the program and encourage them to visit our Website (www.ncgreenpower.org) and sign up.
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