Solar power in North Carolina

Solar power in North Carolina has been increasing rapidly, from less than 1 MW (megawatts) in 2007 to 6,152 MW in 2019, and has the second-largest installed PV capacity of all U.S. states.[1] SunEdison built a 17.2-megawatt solar farm in Davidson County.[2]

Because of declining solar panel costs, a 30 percent federal grant known as a 1603 grant was available through December 31, 2011,[3] and a 30 percent tax credit is available through 2019 (declining to 10% by 2022).[4] The federal tax credit is in addition to any local incentives and pays for the cost of installation, which can be rolled over if fewer taxes are owed that year. The difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit is substantial, as a deduction depends on your tax rate to determine your savings, but a tax credit is directly available to repay the cost of installation.[5] A 2012 estimate indicated that a typical 5 kW solar array would pay for itself in 6 years, and thereafter generate a substantial profit.[6] In addition to federal incentives, the state has a Renewable Portfolio Standard of 12.5% by 2021 and a state renewable energy tax credit, both of which have been credited with boosting solar installations.[7][8][9]

A 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article described North Carolina as likely being the national leader in the "solar shepherd phenomenon"  combining sheep farming with solar power plants to reduce the high costs of grass trimming.[10]

According to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, as of June 2019, North Carolina generates 5.81% of its electricity through solar power, and ranks second (up from 3rd in 2018) in total installed photovoltaics.[11]

Grid-connected PV capacity
YearTotal (MW)Installed (MW)% Change
20070.7
2008[12] 4.74571%
2009[13]12.57.8166%
2010[14]4028.7220%
2011[15]85.545.5114%
2012[16]207.9122.4143%
2013[17]469261.1126%
2014[18]849380
2015[19]1,9741,125
2016[20]2,9841,010
2017[21]3,287.5303.5
2018[11]4,692.11,404.642.7%
2019[22]6,152.31,460.2
Source: NREL[23]

Currently operating

The following tables show some of the major solar power projects currently operating in North Carolina (NC).

Dominion Energy

North Carolina solar projects[24]
NameLocationMWCurrent statusPV modulesFootprint
(acres)
Clipperton Sampson County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)56,64028.52
Fremont Wayne County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)21,12829.76
Gutenberg Solar Norhampton

County

79.9Operational as of 2019 (Sept.)287,4301,126
IS37 Anson County79Operational as of 2017 (Aug.)344,056550
Moorings 2 Lenoir County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)58,40036
Morgans Corner Pasquotank County20Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)81,054110
Mustang Solar Moore County5Operational as of 2018 (July)21,30030
Pecan Solar Norhampton

County

74.9Operational as of 2018 (Dec.)929,1001,050
Pikeville Wayne County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)56,64030
Summit Farms Currituck County60Operational as of 2016 (Dec.)650
Wakefield Solar Wake County5Operational as of 2017 (Dec.)22,30030

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Renewables
NameLocationMWConstruction
completed
PV ModulesHomes
powered
Electricity purchaser (offtaker)
Battleboro Solar[25] Edgecombe County52015-0423,300Dominion North Carolina Power
Bethel Price Solar[26] Pitt County52013-1223,0001,000Dominion North Carolina Power
Capital Partners, Phase I[27] Elizabeth City202014-1293,000George Washington University
American University
GWU Hospital
Capital Partners, Phase II[28] Kelford
Whitakers
33.52015-12147,300George Washington University
American University
GWU Hospital
Conetoe II[29] Edgecombe County802015-09375,000Lockheed-Martin (38%)[30]
Corning (62%)[31]
Creswell Solar[32] Washington County142015-0266,500Dominion North Carolina Power
Davie Solar[33] Davie County29201763,308
Dogwood Solar[34] Halifax County202013-1293,000
Everett's Wildcat Solar[35] Martin County52014-1223,300Dominion North Carolina Power
Halifax Solar Power Project[36] Roanoke Rapids202014-12100,0003,500Dominion North Carolina Power
Holiness Solar[37] Murphy12011-114,242200Tennessee Valley Authority
Martins Creek Solar[38] Murphy14,400150Tennessee Valley Authority
Millfield Solar[39] Beaufort County52013-1127,4501,000North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Monroe Solar[40] Union County60201710,000
Murfreesboro Solar[41] Murfreesboro52011-1219,960700North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation
Shawboro Solar[42] Currituck County202015-1295,000Dominion North Carolina Power
Shelby Solar[43] Shelby12010-054,522140North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Sunbury Solar[44] Gates County52015-0823,000Dominion North Carolina Power
Taylorsville Solar[45] Taylorsville12010-104,224150EnergyUnited
Tarboro Solar[46] Edgecombe County52015-0423,000Dominion North Carolina Power
Washington Airport Solar[47] Beaufort County52013-1223,0001,000North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Washington White Post Solar[48] Beaufort County12.52012-1253,0003,000North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Wingate Solar[49] Murphy12011-084,340200Tennessee Valley Authority
Windsor Cooper Hill Solar[50] Bertie County5201323,0001,000Dominion North Carolina Power

Note: Construction completion dates are year or year-month.

Duke Energy Regulated Utility
NameLocationMWConstruction
completed
PV modulesHomes
powered
Camp Lejeune Solar[51] Onslow County17.252017-0355,000
Elm City Solar[52][53] Wilson County402016-06487,0007,000
Fayetteville Solar[54] Cumberland County232015-12105,000
Warsaw Solar[55] Duplin County652016-06850,00013,000

Other Generators (20MW+)

Recurrent Energy
(A subsidiary of Canadian Solar)
NameLocationMWConstruction
completed
NC 102[56] Cabarrus County74.8
(102 MWP)
2018
IS-42[57] Cumberland County71
(92 MWP)
2018

    Generation

    Using data available from the U.S. Energy Information Agency's Electric Power Annual 2017[58] and "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser",[59][60][61][62] the following table summarizes North Carolina's solar energy posture.

    Capacity factor for each year was computed from the end-of-year summer capacity. 2018 data is from Electric Power Monthly and is subject to change.

    Solar-electric generation in North Carolina
    Year Facilities Summer capacity (MW) Electric energy (GWh or M kWh) Capacity factor Yearly growth of generating capacity Yearly growth of produced energy % of NC renewable electric energy % of NC generated electric energy % of U.S. Solar electric energy
    2018 523398269970.20118.7%25.4%53.5%5.2%10.5%
    2017 481335555790.19037.7%63.1%51.6%4.3%10.5%
    2016 411243734210.1669.6%149%32.9%2.6%9.5%
    2015 2621436.813740.11112.5%88.5%15.8%1.07%5.5%
    2014 6767290.123103%111%9.10%0.60%4.10%
    2013 84333.23450.176190.8%148.2%3.5%0.27%3.82%
    2012 38114.61390.199156.4%717.7%2.16%0.12%3.21%
    2011 1544.7170.04927.7%54.6%0.27%0.01%0.94%
    2010 935110.0661067%120%0.16%0.01%0.91%
    2009 3350.1900%150%0.07%0.00%0.56%
    2008 3320.1520%0%0.04%0.00%0.23%
    2007 00000%0%0.00%0.00%0.00%
    2017 NC Solar Energy Generation Profile
    NC solar generation (GWh, Million kWh)[63]
    Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total
    201117
    2012224666979172348139
    2013101724213234343236403035345
    2014314156587467697568884954729
    2015635295110160151167156109100761351374
    20161681753483002653203364483282541822983421
    20172052494404816046616055745665303393255579
    20183584145336607248417357566755554093376997

    Beginning with the 2014 data year, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has estimated the distributed solar-photovoltaic generation and distributed solar-photovoltaic capacity.[64] These non-utility-scale appraisals evaluate that North Carolina generated the following amounts of additional solar energy:

    Estimated distributed solar electric generation in North Carolina[65]
    Year Summer capacity (MW) Electric energy (GWh or M kWh)
    2018 140.1212
    2017 114.9186
    2016 109.7167
    2015 71.784
    2014 56.872

    2014 Duke Energy initiative

    On September 15, 2014, Duke Energy committed US$500 million to an expansion of solar power in North Carolina.[66] Announced projects include:

    • Warsaw Solar Facility (65 MW) – Duplin County, developed by Strata Solar. This was scheduled to be the largest PV plant east of the Mississippi River as of the announcement date.
    • Elm City Solar Facility (40 MW) – Wilson County, developed by HelioSage Energy
    • Fayetteville Solar Facility (23 MW) – Bladen County, developed by Tangent Energy Solutions

    In addition, Duke Energy plans to purchase energy from five new projects:

    2015 Completions and proposals

    On September 9, 2015 Duke Energy Renewables announced the completion of four solar farms with a combined output totaling 30 MW, in addition to three other farms under construction. These three farms, once completed, will produce an additional 132 MW.[67]

    On September 22, 2015 Invenergy Clean Power LLC signed a build-transfer agreement to construct and sell the Morgans Corner solar facility in Pasquotank County to Dominion Energy.[68]

    On December 14, 2015 Corning announced that they have entered into a Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) for solar-generated electricity produced by Duke Energy Renewables at the Conetoe II facility. Corning will purchase 62.5% of the expected output (estimated at 120,300 MWh/yr) beginning in the first quarter of 2016.[69]

    On December 16, 2015 Woodland Town Council leaders rejected the proposed solar farm in Northampton County due to local opposition. A concern cited at the council meeting was that "photosynthesis would not happen" around installed panels and questions about high cancer rates in the area were raised with one resident being quoted as saying "no one could tell her that solar panels didn't cause cancer".[70]

    2016 Completions and proposals

    In 2016 Duke Energy added about 500 MW of solar capacity in North Carolina. This includes 100 MW from Duke's own commercial and regulated businesses and 400 MW from projects built by other developers. This addition has the capacity to provide 105,000 homes with electricity during peak production. Plans for 2017 include the addition of around 400 MW including the completion of the 60 MW Monroe farm in Union County.[71]

    On February 1, 2016 Lockheed Martin announced that they had entered into a Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) for the remaining 37.5% of solar-generated electricity produced by Duke Energy Renewables at the Conetoe II facility.[72]

    In April 2016, Currituck County commissioners denying Ecoplexus's requests for both conditional rezoning and a use permit for building a solar farm on the former Goose Creek Golf Course in Gandy.[73]

    2017 Completions and proposals

    In 2017 Duke Energy added about 500 MW of solar capacity in North Carolina. This included the completion of the Monroe facility and a 29 MW facility in Davie County.[74]

    In March 2017, Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett upheld Currituck County's 2016 denial of an Ecoplexus's bid to build a solar farm (Sunshine Farms) on a former golf course in Grandy[75]

    On May 4, 2017 Dominion Energy announced that it had planned to purchase a 79 MW solar energy facility under construction in Anson County from Cypress Creek Renewables.[76]

    In June 2017, The Board of Adjustment in Cabarrus County approved a conditional use permit for McBride Place Energy, LLC, to build an solar farm on property just north of Midland off of U.S. 601.[77]

    On Aug 03, 2017 Dominion Energy announced that it had acquired two 5 MW facilities (Fremont in Wayne County and Moorings 2 in Lenoir County) and expected to purchase two other 5 MW facilities (Clipperton in Sampson County and Pikeville in Wayne County) from Strata Solar.[78]

    On Dec. 19, 2017 a three-judge panel of the North Carolina Court of Appeals overturned Currituck County's denial of the proposed Sunshine Farm.[79]

    2018 Completions and proposals

    Dominion Investments

    On January 10, 2018 Dominion Energy announced that they would be investing $1 billion in their solar fleet in Virginia and North Carolina.[80]

    Duke Energy rebate proposal

    On January 22, 2018 Duke Energy Renewables proposed a $62 million rebate program for both residential and nonresidential customers. It was the first of three programs Duke is proposing as part of "Competitive Energy Solutions for North Carolina" legislation, signed into law in 2017 by Gov. Roy Cooper. The program requires approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission.[81]

    Proposal details
    Electricity customer Eligible rebate Maximum rebate
    Residential
    (10 kilowatts or less)
    60 cents per watt$6,000
    Nonresidential 50 cents per watt$50,000
    Nonprofit entity 75 cents per watt$75,000

    Customers would also have the option of leasing solar equipment from a third-party.

    On April 16, 2018 the North Carolina Utilities Commission approved the program. It applies to Duke Energy's residential, nonresidential and nonprofit customers who installed a solar system and a bi-directional meter on their property on or after Jan. 1, 2018.[82]

    Bertie County Groundbreaking

    On March 26, 2018 Fifth Third Bank and SunEnergy1 broke ground on a solar farm in Aulander. The facility is expected to create at least 1,000 jobs, and generate 194,000 mega-watt hours of electricity annually.[83]

    Recurrent Energy

    On May 21, 2018 Recurrent Energy announced that they had secured $106 million in financing to build a 75 MW facility near Concord in Cabarrus County.[84]

    Currituck County Approval

    In June 2018, Ecoplexus received a permit from the Currituck Commission to build a solar farm south of Grandy, located at the former Goose Creek Golf Course. The permit allows for up to a 20-megawatt facility, with construction expected to start at the end of this 2018, and completion expected to be by mid-2019.[85]

    Proposals

    Rowan County

    In September 2019, China Grove Solar proposed to develop a 428-acre, 65-megawatt, ground-mounted solar farm located in Rowan County.[86]

    See also

    References

    1. http://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual /2017/06/19
    2. Duke Energy and SunEdison Announce Completion of 17.2MW Solar Farm
    3. 1603 Treasury Program
    4. Wind, Solar Companies Get Boost From Tax-Credit Extension
    5. The Federal Solar Tax Credit
    6. Levelized Cost of Solar Photovoltaics in North Carolina
    7. Lauren Shwisberg (February 27, 2014). "Utility Scale Solar Energy: North Carolina's Emergent Success". The Energy Collective. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
    8. Daniel Gross (July 5, 2014). "NC quietly becomes a star on solar energy stage". The News & Observer. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
    9. Steve DeVane (July 18, 2014). "Solar farms taking root in North Carolina". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
    10. Molly A. Seltzer. "There's a New Job in the Solar Industry." Smithsonian Magazine. February 6, 2018.
    11. "Solar Spotlight – North Carolina" (PDF). Solar Energy Industries Association. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
    12. Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
    13. Sherwood, Larry (July 2010). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
    14. Sherwood, Larry (June 2011). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2011-06-29.
    15. Sherwood, Larry (August 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2011" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
    16. Sherwood, Larry (July 2013). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2012" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
    17. Sherwood, Larry (July 2014). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2013" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2014-07-28.
    18. "North Carolina Solar". Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Fourth Quarter 2019. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
    19. "North Carolina Solar". Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Fourth Quarter 2019. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
    20. "North Carolina Solar". Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Fourth Quarter 2019. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
    21. "North Carolina Solar Projects". solarlove.org. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
    22. "North Carolina Solar". Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Fourth Quarter 2019. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
    23. "PV Watts". NREL. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
    24. "North Carolina Solar Projects". dominionenergy.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
    25. "Solar Power Projects" (PDF). duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    26. "Bethel Price Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
    27. "Solar Power Projects" (PDF). duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    28. "Solar Power Projects" (PDF). duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    29. "Conetoe II". sunenergy1.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    30. "Massive Duke Energy solar farm signs contract with Lockheed Martin". bladenonline.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    31. "Duke Energy signs large out-of-state deal for power from N.C. solar farm". bladenonline.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    32. "North Carolina solar was hot in 2015; Duke Energy led the charge". news.duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    33. "Duke looking to the sun". Davie County Enterprise Record. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
    34. "Dogwood Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    35. "Solar Power Projects" (PDF). duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    36. "Duke Energy acquires Halifax Solar Project in Eastern North Carolina". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    37. "Holiness Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    38. "Martins Creek Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    39. "Millfield Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    40. "Duke Energy delivered sunshiny days in North Carolina in 2017". duke-energy.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
    41. "Murfreesboro Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    42. "Solar Power Projects" (PDF). duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
    43. "Shelby Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    44. "Solar Power Projects" (PDF). duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    45. "Taylorsville Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    46. "Solar Power Projects" (PDF). duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
    47. "Washington Airport Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
    48. "Washington White Post Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
    49. "Wingate Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
    50. "Windsor Cooper Hill Solar Project Highlights". duke-energy.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
    51. "Camp Lejeune Solar Project" (PDF). duke-energy.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    52. "Duke Energy unveils 450-acre Elm City solar farm". wilsontimes.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    53. "Duke opens Elm City solar farm". wilsontimes.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    54. "Duke Energy solar site near DuPont now online". wilsontimes.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    55. "Duke Energy opens second largest solar farm in the state in Warsaw". witn.com. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
    56. "NC 102 - Recurrent Energy". Retrieved October 18, 2019.
    57. "IS-42 - Recurrent Energy". Retrieved October 18, 2019.
    58. "Electric Power Annual State Data" 1990-2017 Existing Name Plate and Summer Capacity by Energy Source and State retrieved 2019-4-11
    59. "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser" Table 1.17B retrieved 2019-3-15
    60. "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser " Report 1.14 retrieved 2019-3-17
    61. "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser " Report 1.13 retrieved 2019-3-17
    62. "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser " Report 1.6 retrieved 2019-3-17
    63. "Energy Information Administration (EIA)" Table 1.17B Net Generation from Solar by state by sector retrieved 2019-4-11
    64. "Electric Power Annual" retrieved 2017 6 17
    65. "Electric Power Monthly" retrieved 2019 3 12
    66. "Duke Energy commits $500 million to North Carolina solar power expansion". Duke Energy. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
    67. "Duke Energy unit completes 4 N.C. solar farms". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
    68. "Invenergy Sells Morgans Corner Solar Facility To Dominion". solarindustrymag.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    69. "Corning Signs 25-Year PPA With Duke". solarindustrymag.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    70. "NC solar farm rejected over fear it will suck up too much energy". ABC 7 Chicago. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
    71. "Duke Energy connected 500 MW of solar in 2016". pv magazine. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
    72. "Duke Energy, Lockheed Martin Commit To 17-Year Solar Energy Deal". solarindustrymag.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    73. "Currituck denies solar farm". The Daily Advance. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
    74. "Duke Energy delivered sunshiny days in North Carolina in 2017". Duke Energy. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
    75. "Judge upholds solar farm denial". The Daily Advance. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
    76. "Dominion to Acquire Large-Scale Solar Facility Under Construction in North Carolina". PR Newswire. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    77. "Solar farm comes to Cabarrus". Independent Tribune. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
    78. "Dominion Energy Acquires, Plans to Acquire Four North Carolina Solar Energy Projects". PR Newswire. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    79. "Currituck overruled on solar denial". The Daily Advance. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
    80. "Dominion Energy invests $1B in solar". WTOP. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
    81. "Duke Energy proposes $62 million solar rebate program". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
    82. "State OKs Duke Energy's $62 million solar rebate program: Do you qualify?". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
    83. "Work set to start on new solar farm in Bertie County". WITN. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
    84. "Canadian subsidiary building major solar project near Concord". Charlotte Business Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
    85. "Currituck OK's permit for solar farm". The Daily Advance. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
    86. "400-acre solar farm to be considered by Rowan County commissioners". Salisbury Post. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.