Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, has begun construction of three utility-scale solar power projects totaling 30 megawatts (MW) AC in Eastern North Carolina.
The 20-MW Dogwood Solar Power Project is located in Halifax County, near Scotland Neck. The company is also building two 5-MW projects, one in Bertie County near Windsor, named Windsor Cooper Hill Solar. The other, Bethel Price Solar, is in Pitt County, near Bethel.
"We are pleased to be expanding our presence in Eastern North Carolina and bringing significant community development benefits to these counties," said Duke Energy Renewables President Greg Wolf. "The projects generate valuable tax revenue, provide supplemental income for landowners and bring clean, renewable energy to the state."
Power from these projects will be sold through long-term, fixed price contracts.
SunEnergy1, a solar design, engineering and construction company based in Mooresville, N.C., is building the photovoltaic (PV) projects, which are projected to be complete by the end of 2013.
"When the sun is shining and the plants are operating, the 30 MW of solar energy generated by the three projects will supply enough electricity to power about 6,000 homes," said Kenny Habul, CEO of SunEnergy1. "We are proud to be partnered with Duke Energy and applaud their continued commitment to bring economic growth and renewable solar power to these counties that can reap tangible benefits from the projects.
"This investment, with several hundred jobs during construction and a permanent tax base, is making a lasting impact on a large portion of Eastern North Carolina in need of stimulus," he added. "Congratulations to Duke for the vision."
The 140,000 high efficiency Virtus II PV modules for the three sites are being supplied by ReneSola. The projects consist of a mix of 72-cell 300-watt and 305-watt polycrystalline PV modules.
"ReneSola has forged a solid, long-term relationship with Duke Energy Renewables and SunEnergy 1, for which we're very grateful," said Kevin Chen, president of ReneSola. "Seeing these projects come to fruition with ReneSola modules, built by one of the most credible EPCs and developers in the Southeast, is a true testament to the strides ReneSola has made in the U.S. market since early 2012. We look forward to working closely with Duke Energy Renewables and SunEnergy1 in 2014 and beyond to help them fulfill on their pipelines."
These projects, located in Dominion NC Power's service territory, bring Duke Energy Renewables' wholly owned commercial solar farms to 20 across the U.S. In addition to its 12.5- and 5-MW solar sites in Beaufort County and the 5-MW Murfreesboro Solar Power Project, also in Eastern North Carolina, Duke Energy Renewables owns six 1-MW solar facilities in the western part of the state.