Duke Energy has begun the construction of two solar farms having a total capacity of 32 MW in North Carolina.
The project is part of final phases of the 52 MW of project developed for selling clean energy to three Washington, D.C., institutions.
In addition, Duke Energy unit has completed construction of one 14 MW farm and one 5 MW farm, which will start supplying power to Dominion Power in North Carolina by the end of the month.
On adding up the 20 MW first phase of the Washington deal completed in December, the projects will bring the total amount of solar portfolio operated by Duke Energy in North Carolina to 154.5 MW.
Recently, Duke Energy announced plans to add 110 MW of solar energy for the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) by 2021.
The commission may approve the programs before offering them to the customers of Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress in the Palmetto State.
Currently, roughly 2 MW of solar capacity is connected to Duke Energy in South Carolina.
In another development, Duke Energy announced $225 million funding to develop commercial solar projects through a streamlined process along with REC solar.
REC and Duke will keep certain standard norms for pre-qualification of commercial customers who are in need of solar installations.
In January, Duke Energy partnered with the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps to set up a 13 MW solar facility at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Onslow County, N.C.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, North Carolina’s solar industry is showing high growth partly due to the state’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard that allows clean energy companies to compete with utilities and offers consumers a choice in their energy supply.
In 2014, North Carolina installed an additional 397 MW of solar electric capacity to bring its total to 953 MW, placing the state in second position for the amount of installed solar capacity.
In 2014, $652 million was invested on solar installations in North Carolina.
Sabeena Wahid
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