Solar power in North Carolina has been increasing rapidly, from less than 1 MW (megawatts) in 2007 to about 1437 MW in 2015, and has the second-largest installed capacity of the U.S. states. Because of declining solar panel costs, a 30 percent federal grant known as a 1603 grant was available through December 31, 2011, and a 30 percent tax credit is available through 2019 (declining to 10% by 2022). 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. A 2012 estimate indicated that a typical 5Â kW solar array would pay for itself in 6 years, and thereafter generate a substantial profit.
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.
SunEdison built a 17.2-megawatt solar farm in Davidson County. Other prominent solar contractors in North Carolina include Strata Solar, Baker Renewable Energy and Cypress Creek Renewables.
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.
Currently operating
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Dominion Energy
Duke Energy
Generation
Using data available from US Energy Information Agency Electric Power Annual 2015 and Electric Power Monthly Data Browser, the following table summarizes North Carolina’s solar energy posture.
The capacity factor for each year was computed from the end-of-year summer capacity. 2016 data is from Electric Power Monthly and is subject to change.
Capacity factor for each year was computed from the end-of-year summer capacity. 2016 data is from Electric Power Monthly and is subject to change.
Beginning with the 2014 data year, the Energy Information Administration has estimated the distributed solar photovoltaic generation and distributed solar photovoltaic capacity. These non-utility scale estimates project that North Carolina generated the following amounts of additional solar energy.
2014 Duke Energy initiative
On September 15, 2014, Duke Energy committed US$500 million to an expansion of solar power in North Carolina.
- Announced projects include:
- 65 MW â€" Warsaw Solar Facility - Duplin County - Developed by Strata Solar
- (At 65 MW, this was scheduled to be the largest PV plant east of the Mississippi River as of the announcement date.)
- 40 MW - Elm City Solar Facility - Wilson County - Developed by HelioSage Energy
- 23 MW - Fayetteville Solar Facility - Bladen County - Developed by Tangent Energy Solutions
- 65 MW â€" Warsaw Solar Facility - Duplin County - Developed by Strata Solar
- In addition, Duke Energy will purchase energy from five new projects:
- 48 MW â€" Bladen County - Developed by Innovative Solar Systems
- 48 MW â€" Richmond County - Developed by FLS Energy
- 20 MW â€" Scotland County - Developed by Birdseye Renewable Energy
- 19 MW â€" Cleveland County - Developed by Birdseye Renewable Energy
- 15 MW â€" Beaufort County - Developed by Element Power US
2015 Completions & Future
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. Once completed, the three farms under construction will have an output totaling 132 MW.
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.
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.
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".
2016 Completions & Future
In 2016, Duke Energy added about 500MW of solar capacity in North Carolina. This includes 100 MW from Duke's own commercial and regulated businesses, as well as 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.
On February 1, 2016 Lockheed Martin announced that they have 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.
2017 Completions & Future
In 2017, Duke Energy added about 500MW of solar capacity in North Carolina. This included the completion of the Monrow facility, as well as a 29 MW facility in Davie County.
On May 04, 2017 Dominion Energy announced that it planed to purchase a 79 MW solar energy facility under construction in Anson County, from Cypress Creek Renewables.
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.
2018 Completions & Future
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.
Duke Energy Rebate Proposal
On January 22, 2018 Duke Energy Renewables proposed a $62 million rebate program for both residential and nonresidential customers. It's the first of three programs Duke is proposing as part of the implementation 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.
Customers would also have the option of leasing solar equipment from a third-party.
External links
- North Carolina solar calculator
- Renewable energy policies and incentives
References
