Duke Energy opens two new solar facilities in North Carolina
Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, commenced the commercial operation of two major solar facilities in North Carolina.
One of the facilities is the 50-megawatt (MW) Broad River Solar power plant in Cleveland County, and the other is the 22.6-MW Speedway Solar power plant in Cabarrus County. The solar power from these facilities will be delivered through 20-year power purchase agreements. They will provide electricity for about 15,000 homes.
“Even with the 2021 challenges of COVID-19 and supply chain constraints, our team remained focused and delivered these projects on time,” Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, said. “We could not have completed these projects without the support of our vendors and the people of Cleveland and Cabarrus counties.”
SOLV Energy provided the design, procurement of inverters, balance of plant systems, and construction of the projects.
North Carolina ranks fourth in the United States in solar energy generation. That should continue to increase with the passage of the Energy Solutions for North Carolina (HB951) law in 2021.
“Solar power is a major focus for Duke Energy as we target 70 percent carbon reduction by 2030 in North Carolina and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 under HB951,” Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, said. “We expect solar to play a leading role in our clean energy future.”
Duke Energy operates more than 40 solar facilities in North Carolina and maintains more than 4,100 MW of solar power on its energy grid in the state. That’s enough to power about 800,000 homes and businesses at peak output. Including nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy, more than half of North Carolina’s energy mix is carbon-free.
