2026-INT 00003
Published On: 06/25/2026

Question: Based on our understanding, the 2026 Solar RFP is currently paused pending the Commission’s decision in the CPIRP docket, following the Chairman’s order. Since the RSC is described as the special interconnection path for projects participating in the RFP, we wanted to confirm whether Duke still expects the 2026 RSC window to open as originally planned if the RFP itself is not open. Could you please clarify whether the RSC process will proceed independently, be delayed together with the RFP, or require further Commission/Duke guidance before bidders submit interconnection requests through the RSC path?

Answer: The 2026 Resource Solicitation Cluster (RSC) is also used for the 2026 SC Battery RFP and will open July 15, 2026. This date will be updated in 2026 SC Battery RFP Document 11 and posted on or around July 7 with final documents to the RFP website.  Only projects that bid into an RFP are eligible to submit interconnection requests to the RSC. Therefore, if the Companies do not open the bid window for the 2026 Solar and SPWS RFP, potential bidders in the Solar and SPWS RFP should not submit requests to the RSC.

2026-INT 00002
Published On: 05/15/2026

Question: If a project submits into the 2026 RFP and is shortlisted, but then declines the invitation to move forward into phase 1 of RSC study. Do withdrawal penalties apply at that point?

Answer:

1. The $10,000 or $15,000 Proposal Fee per project is non-refundable.
2. The study deposit is paid at the time the interconnection request enters the Resource Solicitation Cluster (RSC) and any applicable Commercial Readiness Deposits. The initial deposit is used to cover the Interconnection Customer’s allocated cost of the RSC Cluster study. If the interconnection request is withdrawn, any refunds of unspent deposit will be processed in accordance with the following section references Section 3.7 of Attachment K to the LGIP, Sections 6.3 of the NCIP and Section 4.7 in SCGIP Appendix CS. 

2026-INT 00001
Published On: 04/23/2026

Question: There is a standard advisory on Duke pre-apps that states: This project may be contingent on significant network upgrades exceeding one hundred million dollars that are currently assigned but will be necessary to allow new generation to connect in this region of the DEP system. These upgrades could take up to 5 years from start date to be completed. The project proposed in this pre-application cannot connect to the transmission system until required network upgrades are completed. How should we interpret this in submitting our bid pricing and online timeline?

Answer: Contingent network upgrades do potentially have an impact on the timing of the project reaching full network interconnection service, but the costs of those upgrades may be assigned to prior queued generators. Bidders with questions about a pre-application and its results should reach out to their account manager on the Renewable Integration Team.