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Southern Current Joins SEIA’s Board of Directors

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Southern Current Joins SEIA’s Board of Directors

May 23, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, announced today that Southern Current, a leading national solar project developer, is now a member of SEIA’s Board of Directors.

Additionally, Ryan Creamer, founder and CEO of independent solar developer sPower, has been elected as the new Vice Chairman of SEIA’s Board of Directors. Incumbent Board Chairman Tom Starrs also has been elected to a second term as Chair.

“The solar story is at a critical juncture, and the leadership that Southern Current and sPower’s Ryan Creamer bring to SEIA’s Board of Directors will be absolutely invaluable to our success as an industry in years to come,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO. “We are also looking forward to continued steadfast leadership from our Board Chairman Tom Starrs, who is beginning a new term as Chair after a successful first year.”

Based in Charleston, S.C., Southern Current is a leading developer in the residential, commercial and utility-scale solar markets with hundreds of systems currently providing power to customers across the United Sates. Their integrated platform includes project development, engineering, construction, maintenance, finance, and asset management. Southern Current’s mission is to help create a more reliable, economical and sustainable energy future for the United States.

“SEIA has played a significant role in addressing both the challenges and opportunities of the solar industry and I am excited to bring Southern Current’s perspective, knowledge and skillset to the Board of Directors,” said Jon Downey, CEO of Southern Current.

sPower CEO Ryan Creamer, an at-large member of SEIA’s Board of Directors since 2015, is now the Vice Chairman of the Board. Creamer has more than 20 years of experience successfully pioneering in the energy sector.

“Our industry is in a stage of transition as we scale to serve as a significant player in the U.S. energy market,” said Ryan Creamer, CEO of sPower. “I am looking forward to continuing to lead on SEIA’s board and help shape the strategy that will allow solar to continue to thrive nationwide.”

“Solar is one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the U.S. with consumers, businesses, government and utilities seeing the economic and environmental benefits,” said Tom Starrs, vice president of market strategy and policy for SunPower Corp [and SEIA board chair]. “I look forward to continuing work with SEIA’s 1,000 member companies, to speak with a united voice on issues that will continue to grow the sector and capture an increase share of the energy mix.”

 

Report: South Carolina Solar Jobs Increased In 2017

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Need another reason to support solar power in South Carolina? One word: Jobs. Solar industry employment in South Carolina grew by 2% last year, at a time when the national trend of solar employment decreased across the country. According to the latest Solar Jobs Census by The Solar Foundation, over 2,800 workers are now employed by South Carolina’s solar industry, with a total of 250,271 Americans working in solar across the U.S.

Solar Industry In South Carolina Now Provides Over 2,800 Jobs

In the five-year period between 2012 and 2017, solar employment grew nationally by 110% overall or 16% annually, adding 131,000 jobs. Within this period, solar employment grew nine times faster than the overall U.S. economy, and one in every 100 new jobs was a solar job.

Solar makes up just under 2% of overall U.S. energy generation, yet it employs twice as many workers as the coal industry, almost five times as many as nuclear power, and nearly as many workers as the natural gas industry.

Women made up 27% of the solar workforce in 2017, down 1% from 2016. Veterans made up 9% of solar workers, which is 2% more than the overall U.S. workforce.

“One of the largest economic drivers in rural South Carolina is solar, as developers are investing billions of dollars in new infrastructure, creating millions of dollars in new tax revenue, and providing a diversified source of income that is critical to farmers. South Carolina should be looking to innovative companies like Southern Current who have proven to be competitive in a non-competitive market by providing the lowest cost power to our grid.” -Congressman Mark Sanford

Net Metering Cap Threatens Booming Industry, Jobs

A current state law ensures that no more than 2 percent of South Carolina’s electricity production can come from solar panels on people’s homes. But with the recent boom in solar installations, industry members are concerned that the 2 percent threshold may be met sooner than later. Solar companies are appealing to state lawmakers to raise or remove the cap in the name of jobs and energy savings.

“The net metering cap, if not raised, leaves no more room for residential solar. Therefore companies working in South Carolina will have to find alternative markets, like North Carolina, to do business in. It would be a real detriment to a state that’s trending up while the rest of the nation is going down.” -Steffanie Dohn, Southern Current’s Director of Government Relations

“At the rate we’re growing we anticipate over $280 million in new job wages (nationally) and $65 million in South Carolina. However, if the net metering cap is not changed, these numbers will decrease dramatically,” she added.

Learn More About Solar Power In South Carolina

According to our analysis, the average homeowner could expect to save money for 25 years with a new solar panel installation in South Carolina. Plus, available solar rebates & incentives from the state of South Carolina and local power companies bring down the overall cost, making now one of the best times to look into cutting your power bill in half (or more) with a solar power system!

Southern Current is proud to be one of the top Solar Installers in the Southeast, with capabilities in residential solar for homes, commercial solar for businesses, and utility-scale solar farms for property owners and utilities. Schedule a solar consultation today to receive a free analysis of how much money you could be saving with a solar panel installation! Don’t wait – Summer power bills are coming soon!

Report: South Carolina Monthly Electricity Costs Rank Highest In America

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Here’s some unfortunate news for residents of South Carolina just in time for the hot & sticky summer season: A new report from WalletHub comparing at the cost of energy across all U.S. states shows South Carolinians pay the highest monthly electricity costs!

Calculations were made using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, with South Carolina’s average monthly power bill coming it at a whopping $173 per month.

South Carolina Electricity Costs Highest In U.S.

“Energy costs in America eat between 5 and 22 percent of families’ total after-tax income, and July & August power bills tend to be the highest of the year thanks to a greater emphasis on air conditioning to offset warmer temperatures. South Carolina’s scorching summer heat raises costs for residents compared with the temperate climate in more energy-expensive Northern California, where heating and cooling units stay idle most of the year.”

Other Southeastern states also ranked on the most expensive list, including Alabama (#2 at $168/month), Florida (#4 at $162/month), Mississippi (#5 at $155/month), and Georgia (#8 at $152/month).

Tips for saving money on energy bills

  • Turn off lights when you leave a room and use LED light bulbs
  • Use energy efficient appliances
  • Wash clothes in cold water
  • Use a smart thermostat and set comfortable temperatures just before you arrive home
  • Install energy efficient windows and insulation to improve you home’s thermal envelope
  • Look for discounts and refunds offered by your local electric utility

Once the above measures have been incorporated, it is also recommended to produce your own energy using renewable sources like wind & solar power.

Individuals interested in going solar in South Carolina have access to solar rebates and incentives which decrease the overall cost of solar power systems. Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas, South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G), Santee Cooper, and other local electric utilities have unique solar rebate & incentive programs which provide additional savings when installing solar power systems. Learn more by reading South Carolina Solar Power Rebates And Incentives.

Save Money On Power Bills With Solar Panels!

Southern Current is proud to be one of the leading solar companies in South Carolina, with services available throughout the Southeast. Contact us TODAY to schedule a FREE consultation, and find out how much you could be saving with solar!