North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved $500 million investment by Duke Energy in solar power to produce 278 megawatts of electricity.
The utility will build three solar-generating facilities in addition to purchasing power from five plants to meet state’s renewable energy requirement.
ALSO READ :Â Duke Energy awards $50,000 grant for solar research at USFSP Â
The three solar generating facilities are located in Duplin, Bladen and Wilson counties in the eastern part of the state.
The projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2015.
Once completed, the entire production will reach up to 748 megawatts, combining new plants along with Duke’s already operating plants.
The plans are expected to meet nation’s target of producing six percent of its energy requirements from renewables by 2015.
These projects will provide significant amounts of cost-effective renewable energy, complying with the state obligations.
Environmental groups are in support of Duke’s solar energy efforts and urged the company to focus more on renewable fuels.
Recently, Duke Energy has introduced SunSense Solar PV Program, providing rebates that help to reduce the cost of panel installation for US homes.
Duke Energy will provide a rebate of $2 per watt installed  for up to 10 kW, if a customer is qualified for the SunSense Solar PV program, which will also help in reduction of electricity bills.
Solar accounts for about half of all new electric generating capacity in the U.S. for the first half of 2014.
In the past two years, installed solar power has doubled for homes and quadrupled for utilities, according to the national trade group.
Sabeena Wahid
[email protected]