North Carolina Solar Projects

North Carolina has become a significant player in the solar energy sector, with numerous large-scale and well-known solar projects contributing to its renewable energy portfolio. Here is a detailed overview of some of the main and most well-known solar projects in the state:

Major Solar Projects

Warsaw Solar Facility

• Location: Duplin County
• Capacity: 65 MW
• Developer: Strata Solar
• Details: Announced by Duke Energy in 2014, this facility was set to be the largest PV plant east of the Mississippi River at the time of its announcement.

Source

Elm City Solar Facility

• Location: Wilson County
• Capacity: 40 MW
• Developer: HelioSage Energy
• Details: Another significant project announced by Duke Energy in 2014 as part of their $500 million solar expansion initiative.

Source

Fayetteville Solar Facility

• Location: Bladen County
• Capacity: 23 MW
• Developer: Tangent Energy Solutions
• Details: Part of Duke Energy’s 2014 solar expansion projects.

Source

Stony Knoll Solar Power Plant

• Location: Surry County
• Capacity: 22.6 MW
• Owner/Operator: Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions
• Details: This plant, operational since 2021, contains 76,600 panels with single-axis tracking and powers approximately 5,000 homes.

Source

Monroe Solar Farm

• Location: Union County
• Capacity: 60 MW
• Owner: Duke Energy
• Details: This facility, operational since 2017, spans 400 acres and is one of the largest solar farms in the Charlotte region.

Source

Gutenberg Solar

• Location: Northampton County
• Capacity: 79.9 MW
• Owner: Dominion Energy
• Details: Operational since September 2019, this is one of the largest solar projects in the state.

Source

Pecan Solar

• Location: Northampton County
• Capacity: 74.9 MW
• Owner: Dominion Energy
• Details: This project became operational in December 2018 and is a significant contributor to the state’s solar capacity.

Source

Summit Farms

• Location: Currituck County
• Capacity: 60 MW
• Owner: Dominion Energy
• Details: Operational since December 2016, this project is part of Dominion Energy’s extensive solar portfolio in North Carolina.

Source

Fern Solar

• Location: Battleboro
• Capacity: 134 MW
• Developer: BayWa r.e.
• Details: Completed in 2020, this project is among the largest solar installations in North Carolina, capable of powering over 16,000 homes.

Source

Amazon Solar Farm – Eastern Shore

• Location: Delmarva Peninsula
• Capacity: Not specified for NC
• Details: This project supplies Amazon Web Services data centers under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement and is part of Community Energy’s North Carolina Solar Portfolio.

Source

Notable Smaller Projects

Various Community Energy Projects

• Locations: Multiple counties including Greene, Pitt, Duplin, Nash, Wayne, and others
• Capacities: Ranging from 1.99 MW to 5 MW
• Details: Community Energy has developed over 28 projects in North Carolina, designed to be compatible with existing community structures.

Smaller Duke Energy Projects

• Locations: Various counties including Sampson, Wayne, Northampton, and others
• Capacities: Typically around 5 MW each
• Details: Duke Energy operates numerous smaller solar facilities across the state, contributing to the overall renewable energy mix

Competitive Procurement for Renewable Energy (CPRE)

Under this program, Duke Energy and other developers bid for projects to meet the state’s renewable energy needs. This has led to the development of several large-scale solar projects, including the Stony Knoll Solar Power Plant.

Future Wind Energy Projects

North Carolina is also exploring wind energy, with leases for future wind turbine developments off the coast of the Outer Banks and Southeast Raleigh, potentially adding significant capacity in the coming years.

North Carolina’s commitment to expanding its solar energy capacity is evident through these large-scale projects and initiatives, positioning the state as a leader in renewable energy in the United States.

Capacity of the Largest Solar Power Plant in North Carolina

The largest solar power plant in North Carolina is the Albermarle Beach Solar project in Roper, which has a capacity of 150.6 MW. This project was developed by SunEnergy and became operational in 2020, providing electricity for approximately 17,988 homes.

Changes in North Carolina’s Solar Power Capacity Over Time

North Carolina’s solar power capacity has seen significant growth over the past two decades:

• 2007: Less than 1 MW of installed solar capacity.
• 2008: Installed solar capacity grew from 0.7 MW to 4.7 MW.
• 2019: Reached 6,152 MW of installed solar capacity, making it the second-largest in the U.S. at that time.
• 2021: Approximately 7,000 MW of installed solar capacity, ranking fourth in the nation.
• 2022: Nearly 6,500 MW of installed solar capacity, maintaining the fourth position in the U.S.
• 2023: Generated 12,601 GWh of electricity from solar power, reflecting continued growth in capacity and output.

Percentage of North Carolina’s Electricity from Solar Power

As of 2023, solar power accounted for approximately 9% of North Carolina’s total electricity generation. This marks a significant increase from previous years, highlighting the state’s ongoing transition towards renewable energy sources.

Electricity Generation from Solar Power in North Carolina

In 2023, North Carolina generated a total of 12,601 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from solar power. This significant contribution underscores the state’s commitment to renewable energy and its position as a leader in solar power generation in the United States.

Recent Initiatives and Future Prospects

EnergizeNC and Solar for All

Launched in 2023, this initiative aims to bring solar energy to low-income and disadvantaged communities in North Carolina. The program seeks $250 million in funding to install at least 69.5 MW of residential solar power over five years.

Competitive Procurement for Renewable Energy (CPRE)

Under this program, Duke Energy and other developers bid for projects to meet the state’s renewable energy needs. This has led to the development of several large-scale solar projects, including the Stony Knoll Solar Power Plant.

Floating Solar Projects

Duke Energy has developed the largest floating solar power plant in the Southeast at Fort Bragg, with a capacity of 1.1 MW, paired with a 2-MW battery energy storage system.

Challenges and Regulatory Landscape

The expansion of renewable energy sources in North Carolina faces several challenges, including rising interest rates, inflation, supply chain issues, and regulatory changes. The expiration of a renewable energy tax credit in 2015 and the passage of a bill in 2017 that decreased the size of solar panel installations eligible for automatic connection to Duke Energy’s grid have further complicated matters.