North Carolina solar power output increased by 36 percent in 2018, according to EIA report
Annual solar energy production in North Carolina increased by 36 percent in 2018, according to the December 2018 Electric Power Monthly report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
According to the report, North Carolina produces the second-most solar energy of any state. The state produced 7.2 million megawatt-hours of solar generation in 2018. It was third in the nation for connecting new solar projects in 2018.
“Duke Energy continues to connect more solar to the North Carolina energy grid and promote new customer programs in response to the state’s 2017 solar law,” Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, said. “Working collaboratively with stakeholder groups, Duke Energy is promoting smart, cost-effective solar options for our customers.”
Duke Energy owns or purchases a significant portion of the solar energy in North Carolina. The company owns and operates more than 35 solar facilities and has invested more than $1 billion in renewable energy in the state.
The company connected more than 500 megawatts (MW) of new solar capacity in 2018 and recently launched a competitive bidding process for new solar capacity that aims to add 680 MW of new solar capacity in 2019.
