Step 3: File for regulatory certificates: Complete the necessary documentation to receive regulatory certification from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC).

All renewable generation, regardless of size, must receive a Qualifying Facility (QF) status from the FERC and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the NCUC (as required by R1-37).  Having a QF status certifies that your project is eligible for energy payments from Progress Energy.  A certificate from the NCUC provides necessary approval to install generation in the state of North Carolina. 

The FERC provides a Form No. 556, which must be completed and submitted to the agency to apply for QF status.  A sample form is available below along with a sample Form 556 application for a residential solar project.  Mailing instructions are included within the form and a copy of your application should be provided to Progress Energy (a representative from Progress Energy will let you know where to submit this copy).  Note that much of the information required for completion relates to larger projects, called cogenerators, and is not applicable to small generators. 

• Sample FERC Application from the NC Solar Center
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• FERC Form 556 Word Document

To apply for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the NCUC, consult the sample application below.  Mailing instructions are included in the document and a blank document is included for your convenience. A copy of the application should be provided to Progress Energy.

• Sample NCUC Application from the NC Solar Center