Solar power in North Carolina facts for kids

Solar power in North Carolina has been increasing rapidly, from less than 1 MW (megawatts) in 2007 to 6,152 MW in 2019, and has the second-largest installed PV capacity of all U.S. states. SunEdison built a 17.2-megawatt solar farm in Davidson County.

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 5 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.

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.

According to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, as of June 2019, North Carolina generates 5.81% of its electricity through solar power, and ranks second (up from 3rd in 2018) in total installed photovoltaics.

Source: NREL

Currently Operating

Under Construction

Generation

Using data mined from US Energy Information Agency Electric Power Annual 2014 and Electric Power Monthly Data Browser the following table summarizes North Carolina’s solar energy posture.

Capacity factor for each year was computed from the end of year summer capacity for 2014/2015 and is low. 2015 data is from Electric Power Monthly and is subject to change.

2015 Monthly Solar Generation for NC

2014 Monthly Solar Generation for NC

Beginning with the 2014 data year, Energy Information Administration will estimate distributed solar photovoltaic generation and distributed solar photovoltaic capacity. These non-utility scale estimates project that, in 2014 North Carolina, generated 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.

• 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.

Completed Projects

• 5 MW - Battleboro
• 5 MW - Creswell
•  ? MW - Everetts
•  ? MW - Sunbury

Under Construction

As of September 9, 2015

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

Images for kids

• 

  2017 NC Solar Energy Generation Profile

See also

In Spanish: Energía solar en Carolina del Norte para niños