Duke Energy begins construction on Broad River Solar plant in North Carolina

Duke Energy has started construction on the Broad River Solar power plant, a 50-MW in Cleveland County, N.C.

The facility — owned and operated by Duke Energy Renewables, a subsidiary of Duke Energy — will contain more than 170,000 solar panels across approximately 500 acres near Boiling Springs. The facility will be in operation by the end of 2021 and power about 12,500 homes.

“Solar power continues to play a big role in our aggressive pursuit to reduce carbon emissions and achieve our net-zero carbon goal for 2050,” Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, said. “We’ll continue to deliver renewable energy by building and purchasing more carbon-free power for our customers.”

Swinerton was tapped to construct the facility. During peak construction, Broad River Solar will generate approximately 120 jobs. The solar power generated by Broad River Solar will be sold through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

“In addition to increasing the renewable energy resources in the state, the project will also deliver significant economic benefits to Cleveland County,” Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Renewables, said.

The Duke Energy Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to the Cleveland County Schools Educational Foundation and Crest High School to add a renewable energy and green construction skills module into the school’s workforce development curriculum.

Duke Energy operates 40 solar facilities in North Carolina and generates more than 3,700 MW of solar power on its energy grid in the state. North Carolina currently ranks No. 3 in the nation for overall solar power.