First South Carolina Project Under Duke Energy's Updated Green Source Advantage Program Enters Service

Duke Energy has placed the 10‑megawatt (MW) Ebbie Solar project into service in Marion, S.C., marking the first project in the state to operate under its updated Green Source Advantage (GSA) program.

Officials said the milestone comes as Duke Energy's Renewable Choice program exceeded initial enrollment targets in 2025, reflecting strong demand from large commercial and industrial customers for flexible access to clean energy.

Through the GSA program, large business customers can support new renewable energy projects on Duke Energy's grid.

Customers receive renewable energy certificates (RECs) and bill credits for the clean energy the projects produce.

The Ebbie Solar facility will provide customer‑driven renewable energy for the Schaeffler Group, supporting the company's sustainability goals.

Built with American‑made panels and domestic steel, the 10‑MW facility is expected to generate more than 23,000 megawatt‑hours (MWh) of clean electricity annually under a long‑term agreement through the GSA program.

The project was supported by Enel X Advisory Services in its advisory role to Schaeffler and was developed by Headwater Energy, which owns and will operate the facility.

Said Joe Bailey, region facilities manager for Schaeffler: "By generating clean electricity that offsets approximately 25 percent of the combined energy consumption across our three Cheraw plants, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also reinforcing our commitment to clean energy."

"Customer feedback has shaped how we design our clean energy offerings, giving businesses multiple, flexible ways to meet their energy and sustainability goals,” said  Heather Shirley Smith, Duke Energy's vice president of regulatory affairs and policy for South Carolina.

Smith added, “By building scalable options that balance customer choice with system‑wide benefits, we're helping bring new renewable generation onto the grid while delivering value for all customers."

Officials said Duke Energy's Renewable Choice program – its newest clean energy offering for large business customers in South Carolina – has surpassed enrollment targets, underscoring strong demand for flexible, turnkey access to renewable energy.

The voluntary program has subscribed 57 MW of new renewable capacity (42 MW in Duke Energy Carolinas territory and 15 MW in Duke Energy Progress territory), enabling eligible nonresidential customers with at least 1 MW of annual peak demand to match up to 100  percent their electricity use while providing benefits to all retail customers through Clean Energy Environmental Attribute (CEEA) revenue.

CEEAs are environmental attributes that bundle RECs plus the associated carbon emission reduction/carbon-free attribute tied to renewable energy generation (often tracked per 1 MWh of clean energy).

The Ebbie Solar project completed final commissioning and entered operational service on Feb. 3, 2026, and is now delivering renewable energy to the Duke Energy Progress South Carolina grid.

The Schaeffler Group is a leading German-based global automotive and industrial supplier specializing in high-precision components and systems for engines, transmissions, chassis, and rolling bearing solutions.

Schaeffler will begin full participation in the Green Source Advantage program this month.