Plainfield-based Duke Energy is launching a new pilot program intended to improve small businesses, schools and nonprofits’ access to solar energy through a monthly lease.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved the program earlier this month. Through the pilot, eligible customers can lease a solar energy facility from Duke Energy for a period of up to 20 years. Duke Energy will install, operate, own and maintain the facility for the duration of the lease.
The program is limited to Indiana small businesses, schools and nonprofits as a test to see if this is something Duke Energy would want to pursue in the future.
Duke Energy spokesperson Lew Middleton said the idea behind the program is to provide smaller entities with the opportunity to incorporate some solar energy into their energy mix at a lower cost.
“Instead of the company, organization or business having to buy all the solar equipment, which can be pretty pricey, we’re offering to lease it to them for “X”-number of dollars a month depending on who the customer is because the charges won’t all be uniform,” Middleton said.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
