Quick question on Duke Energy Carolinas Schedule LGS. What's the power factor penalty threshold? I'm seeing different numbers in different tariff versions.
Duke Energy Carolinas PF penalty threshold
It's 95% for LGS customers. Penalty is $0.60 per kVAR for each kVAR of reactive demand in excess of that required for 95% power factor. Make sure you're looking at the North Carolina tariff, not South Carolina.
Perfect, that matches what I'm seeing on the bills. Client is running 88-91% PF consistently. Big textile plant in Raleigh.
Textile plants are notorious for poor power factor. All those motor loads. Capacitor correction usually pays for itself in 6-9 months on textile accounts.
That's what I'm finding. $3,200/month in penalties, correction equipment quoted at $22K. No-brainer recommendation.
Make sure the client understands capacitor maintenance requirements. I've seen systems fail within 2 years due to neglect, and then penalties come right back.