Solar power in North Carolina

Solar power in North Carolina has been increasing rapidly, from less than 1 MW in 2007 to nearly 470 MW in 2013, and in 2015 had the fourth largest installed capacity of the US states.^[1] Declining panel costs, a 30 percent federal grant known as a 1603 grant, available through December 31, 2011,^[2] and a 30 percent tax credit available through 2019, declining to 10% by 2022.^[3] The federal tax credit is in addition to any local incentives, and pays for the cost of installation, which can be rolled over if less 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.^[4][5] A 2012 estimate indicates that a typical 5 kW solar array will pay for itself in 6 years, and thereafter generate a substantial profit.^[6][7]

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.^[8][9][10]

SunEdison has built a 17.2 megawatt solar farm in Davidson County.^[11] Other prominent solar contractors in North Carolina include Strata Solar, Baker Renewable Energy and FLS Energy.^[12]

Source: NREL^[19]

Currently Operating

Under Construction

Generation

Using data mined from US Energy Information Agency Electric Power Annual 2014^[39] and Electric Power Monthly Data Browser ^{[40][41][42][43]} the following table summarizes North Carolina’s solar energy posture.

NC Solar Generation (GWh, Million kWh)[44]
Year	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec	Total
2011													17
2012	2	2	4	6	6	6	9	7	9	17	23	48	139
2013	10	17	24	21	32	34	34	32	36	40	30	35	345
2014	31	41	56	58	74	67	69	75	68	88	49	54	729
2015	76	101	140	163	169	177	182	199	168	150	149	161	1835
2016	169												169
2015 Monthly Solar Generation for NC[45] 2014 Monthly Solar Generation for NC[46]

Beginning with the 2014 data year, Energy Information Administration will estimate distributed solar photovoltaic generation and distributed solar photovoltaic capacity.^[47] These non-utility scale estimates project that, in 2014 North Carolina, generated ^[48] a further 72 GWh and in 2015 an additional 90 GWh of solar electricity from such distributed PV systems.

2014 Duke Energy initiative

On September 15, 2014 Duke Energy committed $500 million to an expansion of solar power in North Carolina.^[49]

• Announced projects include:
  • 65 MW – Warsaw Solar Facility - Duplin County - Developed by Strata Solar
    • (At 65 MW, this is 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
• In addition, Duke Energy will purchase energy from five new projects:
  • 48 MW – Bladen County - Developed by Innovative Solar Systems
  • 48 MW – Richmond County - Developed by FLS Energy
  • 20 MW – Scotland County - Developed by Birdseye Renewable Energy
  • 19 MW – Cleveland County - Developed by - Birdseye Renewable Energy
  • 15 MW – 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 combined output totaling 30 MW, in addition to three other farms under construction. The three farms under construction, once completed will have an output totaling 132 MW.^[50]

Completed Projects

• 5 MW ^[51] - Battleboro
• 5 MW ^[52] - Creswell
• ? MW - Everetts
• ? MW - Sunbury

Under Construction

As of September 9, 2015^[53]

• 80 MW - Conetoe
• 32 MW - Kelford & Whitakers
  • Power will go to American University, George Washington University and George Washington University Hospital
• 20 MW - Shawboro

External links

• North Carolina solar calculator
• Renewable energy policies and incentives

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Solar power in North Carolina.