Duke Energy begins work on 22.6 MW solar project in Cabarrus County, North Carolina

Duke Energy began construction last week on its 22.6 MW Speedway Solar power plant in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

This work begins following a competitive bidding process, the results of which will see the design, construction, and other details handled by Swinerton Renewable Energy. Solar power generated by Speedway Solar will be delivered through a 20-year power purchase agreement, but the project will be owned and operated by Duke Energy Sustainable Renewables once complete. At that point, it will also join more than 40 other Duke Energy solar plants in the state.

“Duke Energy is making an aggressive push to expand renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions and achieve a net-zero carbon goal for 2050,” Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, said. “An expansion of solar power will be a key element of that effort.”

All told, the new plant will include approximately 77,000 Jinko bifacial modules with single-axis tracking, spread across 185 acres. It should be capable of powering the equivalent of 5,000 homes once complete — a moment expected to come by the end of the year. It will employ about 70 workers during construction.

“We’re pleased to be able to add more clean energy resources to the state. This facility will not only address the increasing clean energy needs of our communities but will also deliver significant economic benefits to Cabarrus County,” Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, said.

The project will add to local tax revenues in the county and local school districts and compensate landowners participating in the process. When finished, it will add to the more than 3,700 MW of solar power Duke Energy currently maintains on its North Carolina energy grid. It also contributes to the company’s goal of adding another 8 GW of renewable energy to its portfolio by the end of 2025.