Duke Energy breaks ground on 22.6 MW solar plant in Surry County, North Carolina

Continuing a solar expansion effort in North Carolina, Duke Energy began work last week on the 22.6 MW Stony Knoll solar power plant in Surry County — the largest in the area but one of more than 40 others that have sprung up across the state.

“Duke Energy is bringing more carbon-free, renewable energy to customers in North Carolina. We’re pleased to add Surry County to our ever-growing list of solar locations as we significantly reduce carbon emissions on our path to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, said.

The facility will contain 76,600 Trina Solar bifacial modules, complete with single-axis tracking, all spread across 195 acres. It should be able to power the equivalent of 5,000 homes when completed later this year. Stony Knoll will provide local tax revenues to the county and local school districts and bring payments to landowners participating in its construction.

Design, procurement, and construction will be handled by Swinerton Renewable Energy, with produced power to be delivered through a 20-year power purchase agreement with Duke Energy Carolinas. When finished, the facility will be owned and operated by Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions.

The Stony Knoll facility was selected for construction following a competitive bidding process established by the Competitive Energy Solutions for North Carolina law signed by Gov. Roy Cooper in 2017. Under that law, proposed projects must be built where there is a need for energy capacity on the Duke Energy system, be it in North or South Carolina. Bids from any company are welcome, be they power purchase agreements, utility self-developed facilities, or utility asset acquisitions.