Solar power in North Carolina explained

Solar power has been increasing rapidly in the U.S. state of North Carolina, from less than 1 MW (megawatts) in 2007 to 6,152 MW in 2019, when it had the second-largest installed PV capacity of all states.[1]

The economic viability of solar energy is heavily influenced by political and technological factors. Political dynamics play a critical role in shaping renewable energy policy, with barriers such as political polarization and protection of incumbent industries often hindering the adoption of solar power. Long-term analyses of U.S. policies demonstrate how favorable regulations can accelerate solar adoption, a consideration particularly relevant to North Carolina. With its abundant agricultural land, and its relative political power as a swing state, the state has the potential to lead in solar energy expansion by advocating for supportive policies and leveraging technological advancements.[2]

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.[3] [4] [5] Recently in June 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency released $7 billion for solar for all notice. This is a program that aims to expand solar to disadvantaged communities.[6]

In North Carolina, the distribution of solar power production is mainly on land that is classified as agricultural land, at 63%.[7] In North Carolina there exists potential growth for solar energy on this agricultural land. Specifically, land that has watersheds adjacent to the land. Furthermore, 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.[8] A drawback of distributing solar power on agricultural land is the land that can potentially be lost for crops. There are debates of whether solar will harm agriculture.[9]

Duke Energy is large energy providing company. They've been playing a role in implementing solar in North Carolina making it second in the nation for most solar energy usage. In 2017 they helped develop laws that allowed the implementation of solar and made it more affordable.[10]

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.[11] As of 2023 this number is up to 9.33% being ranked 4th.[12]

Year !! style="background-color: #cfb;"
Total (MW) !Installed (MW) ~% Change
2007 0.7
2008 4.7 4 571.4%
2009 12.5 7.8 166%
2010 40 28.7 220%
2011 85.5 45.5 114%
2012 207.9 122.4 143%
2013 469 261.1 126%
2014 849 380 81%
2015 1,974 1,125 132%
2016 2,984 1,010 51%
2017 3,287.5 303.5 10%
2018 4,692.1 1,404.6 42.7%
2019 6,152.3 1,460.2 31%
2020 7,037.8 885.5 14%
2021 7,811.2 773.4 11%
2022 8,179 367.8 4.7%
20239,05487510.7%
20249,6986447.1%

ImageSize = width:420 height:240PlotArea = width:350 height:150 left:40 bottom:40AlignBars = late

DateFormat = x.yPeriod = from:0 till:6TimeAxis = orientation:verticalScaleMajor = unit:month increment:1 start:0

TextData = pos:(15,220) textcolor:black fontsize:M text:hrs pos:(205,25) textcolor:black fontsize:S text:Month pos:(90,230) textcolor:black fontsize:M text:Raleigh Sun Hours/day (Avg = 5.04 hrs/day)

Colors = id:yellow value:yellow

PlotData= width:20 textcolor:black bar:Jan color:yellow from:0 till:3.73 text:3.73 shift:(-10,60) bar:Feb color:yellow from:0 till:4.66 text:4.66 shift:(-10,70) bar:Mar color:yellow from:0 till:5.38 text:5.38 shift:(-10,75) bar:Apr color:yellow from:0 till:5.76 text:5.76 shift:(-10,80) bar:May color:yellow from:0 till:5.55 text:5.55 shift:(-10,75) bar:Jun color:yellow from:0 till:5.77 text:5.77 shift:(-10,80) bar:Jul color:yellow from:0 till:5.53 text:4.87 shift:(-10,75) bar:Aug color:yellow from:0 till:5.58 text:5.53 shift:(-10,75) bar:Sep color:yellow from:0 till:5.35 text:5.35 shift:(-10,75) bar:Oct color:yellow from:0 till:5.33 text:5.33 shift:(-10,75) bar:Nov color:yellow from:0 till:4.34 text:4.34 shift:(-10,60) bar:Dec color:yellow from:0 till:3.51 text:3.51 shift:(-10,50)

Source: NREL[13]

Currently operating

The following tables show some of the major solar power projects currently operating in North Carolina (NC).

Dominion Energy

North Carolina solar projects[14]
Name Location MW Current status modules Footprint
(acres)
ClippertonSampson County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)56,640 28.52
FremontWayne County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)21,128 29.76
Gutenberg SolarNorthamptonCounty79.9Operational as of 2019 (Sept.)287,430 1,126
IS37Anson County79Operational as of 2017 (Aug.)344,056 550
Moorings 2Lenoir County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)58,400 36
Morgans CornerPasquotank County20Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)81,054 110
Mustang SolarMoore County5Operational as of 2018 (July)21,300 30
Pecan SolarNorthamptonCounty74.9Operational as of 2018 (Dec.)929,100 1,050
PikevilleWayne County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)56,640 30
Summit FarmsCurrituck County60Operational as of 2016 (Dec.)650
Wakefield SolarWake County5Operational as of 2017 (Dec.)22,300 30

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Renewables
Name Location MW Construction
completed 		PV Modules Electricity purchaser (offtaker)
Battleboro Solar[15] Edgecombe County52015-0423,300 Dominion North Carolina Power
Bethel Price Solar[16] Pitt County52013-1223,000 Dominion North Carolina Power
Capital Partners, Phase I[17] 202014-12 93,000 George Washington University
American University
GWU Hospital
Capital Partners, Phase II[18] 33.52015-12 147,300 George Washington University
American University
GWU Hospital
Conetoe II[19] Edgecombe County802015-09375,000Lockheed-Martin (38%)[20]
Corning (62%)[21]
Creswell Solar[22] 142015-02 66,500 Dominion North Carolina Power
Davie Solar[23] Davie County29201763,308
Dogwood Solar[24] Halifax County202013-1293,000
Everett's Wildcat Solar[25] Martin County52014-1223,300 Dominion North Carolina Power
Halifax Solar Power Project[26] Roanoke Rapids202014-12100,000Dominion North Carolina Power
Holiness Solar[27] Murphy12011-114,242 Tennessee Valley Authority
Martins Creek Solar[28] Murphy14,400 Tennessee Valley Authority
Millfield Solar[29] Beaufort County52013-1127,450 North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Monroe Solar[30] Union County602017
Murfreesboro Solar[31] Murfreesboro52011-1219,960 North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation
Shawboro Solar[32] Currituck County202015-1295,000 Dominion North Carolina Power
Shelby Solar[33] Shelby12010-054,522 North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Sunbury Solar[34] Gates County52015-0823,000 Dominion North Carolina Power
Taylorsville Solar[35] Taylorsville12010-104,224 EnergyUnited
Tarboro Solar[36] Edgecombe County52015-0423,000 Dominion North Carolina Power
Washington Airport Solar[37] Beaufort County52013-1223,000 North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Washington White Post Solar[38] Beaufort County12.52012-1253,000 North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency
Wingate Solar[39] Murphy12011-084,340 Tennessee Valley Authority
Windsor Cooper Hill Solar[40] Bertie County5201323,000 Dominion North Carolina Power
Misenheimer Solar Park[41] Stanly County52024-10Duke Energy Carolinas
Duke Energy Regulated Utility
Name Location MW Construction
completed 		PV modules
Camp Lejeune Solar[42] Onslow County17.252017-0355,000
Elm City Solar[43] [44] Wilson County402016-06487,000
Fayetteville Solar[45] Cumberland County232015-12105,000
Warsaw Solar[46] Duplin County652016-06850,000

On September 15, 2014, Duke Energy committed US$500 million to an expansion of solar power in North Carolina.[47] Announced projects include:

In addition, Duke Energy plans to purchase energy from five new projects:

Since Duke Energy's $500 million commitment to expand solar power in North Carolina in 2014, the company has made significant progress in increasing its solar capacity and advancing renewable energy initiatives in the 2020 decade:

Duke Energy explains their investments in renewable energy are driven by a commitment to environmental sustainability, regulatory compliance, and customer demand for cleaner energy options. The company aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with environmental goals and regulatory expectations.[51]

Other Generators (20MW+)

Recurrent Energy
(A subsidiary of Canadian Solar)
Name Location MW Construction
completed
NC 102[52] Cabarrus County74.8
(102 MWP)		2018
IS-42[53] Cumberland County71
(92 MWP)		2018

Generation

Using data available from the U.S. Energy Information Agency's Electric Power Annual 2017[54] and "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser",[55] [56] [57] [58] the following table summarizes North Carolina's solar energy posture.

Solar-electric generation in North Carolina!Year!Facilities!Summer capacity (MW)!Electric energy (GWh or M kWh)!Capacity factor!Yearly growth of generating capacity!Yearly growth of produced energy!% of NC renewable electric energy!% of NC generated electric energy!% of U.S. Solar electric energy
2018523 3982 6997 0.201 18.7% 25.4% 53.5% 5.2% 10.5% -20174813355 5579 0.190 37.7% 63.1% 51.6% 4.3% 10.5% -20164112437 3421 0.16 69.6% 149% 32.9% 2.6% 9.5% -2015262 1436.8 1374 0.11 112.5%88.5% 15.8% 1.07% 5.5% -2014676 729 0.123 103% 111% 9.10% 0.60%4.10% - 201384 333.2 345 0.176 190.8% 148.2% 3.5% 0.27%3.82% - 201238114.6 139 0.199 156.4% 717.7% 2.16% 0.12%3.21% - 20111544.7 17 0.049 27.7% 54.6% 0.27% 0.01%0.94% - 201093511 0.066 1067% 120% 0.16% 0.01% 0.91% - 200933 50.190 0% 150% 0.07% 0.00%0.56% - 2008332 0.152 0% 0% 0.04% 0.00%0.23% - 200700 0 0 0% 0% 0.00% 0.00%0.00% -
In summary, solar-electric generation has increased from 2007 to 2018 at a decreasing rate. The percentage of solar generated electric energy has steadily increased, but the yearly growth of generating capacity and yearly growth of produced energy peaked in 2012-2013.

Capacity factor for each year was computed from the end-of-year summer capacity.2018 data is from Electric Power Monthly and is subject to change.

NC Utility Scale solar generation (GWh, Million kWh)[59] [60]
YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDecTotal
201117
20122 2 4 6 6 6 9 7 9 17 23 48 139
201310 17 24 21 32 34 34 32 36 40 30 35 345
201431 41 56 58 746769 7568 88 49 54 729
201563 52 95 110 160 151 167 156 109 100 76 135 1,374
2016168 175 348 300 265 320 336 448 328 254 182 298 3,421
2017265 335 423 477 534 482 537 480 473 423 372 314 5,115
2018402356 514 632 629 677 643 658 440 483 369 308 6,111
20194103986616807727538387496835564814727,451
20204774926418728738509557666506605524848,274
20215175208171018108599010379869167757155489,922
202263571996911571173125111741111104893866453411,373
-
Beginning with the 2014 data year, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has estimated the distributed solar-photovoltaic generation and distributed solar-photovoltaic capacity.[61] These non-utility-scale appraisals evaluate that North Carolina generated the following amounts of additional solar energy:
Estimated distributed solar electric generation in North Carolina[62]

!Year!Summer capacity (MW)!Electric energy (GWh or M kWh)

201456.8 72
201571.784 -2016109.7 167 -2017114.9 186 - !2018140.1 212 -2019180.2260
2020200.0310
2021230.5360
2022260.7420
2023290.0430
2024320.0473

Duke Energy rebates

On January 22, 2018, Duke Energy Renewables proposed a $62 million rebate program for both residential and nonresidential customers. It was the first of three programs Duke is proposing as part 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.[63]

Proposal details

!Electricity customer!Eligible rebate!Maximum rebate

Residential
(10 kilowatts or less)		60 cents per watt $6,000 -Nonresidential50 cents per watt $50,000 -Nonprofit entity75 cents per watt $75,000
Customers would also have the option of leasing solar equipment from a third-party.

On April 16, 2018, the North Carolina Utilities Commission approved the program. It applies to Duke Energy's residential, nonresidential and nonprofit customers who installed a solar system and a bi-directional meter on their property on or after January 1, 2018.[64]

EnergizeNC: North Carolina's Solar For All Program

The EnergizeNC coalition was awarded a $156 million grant on April 22, 2024 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant is part of the $7 billion Solar for All program, which seeks to invest in solar projects for low-income and disadvantaged communities. EnergizeNC has three focus areas for solar: rooftop installation in single-family homes, behind-the-meter installations in multifamily housing and non-profit buildings and community solar programs (electric co-ops). The program is expected to launch statewide in Fall 2025.[65]

Duke Energy Solar Centers

A solar center is a facility that has thousands of installed solar panels. Duke Energy has proposed projects for a variety of solar centers using PV panels. The plan is to have the centers operating by late 2025 and they are estimated to produce enough electricity to power 23,000 homes.[66]

!Solar Center!Location!Megawatts!Solar Panel Amount
Bailey Mill[67] Jefferson County74.9 MW~163,000
Half Moon[68] Sumter County74.9 MW~142,000
Rattler[69] Hernando County74.9 MW~210,000
In the chart above are the plans for facilities in various areas. Also, a proposed plan in North Carolina, known as the Longleaf Solar Center, will be located in New Hill, NC. It is proposed to be completed in 2028. It is said to be a 100 MW facility with about 215,000 solar panels and the ability to power 27,900 homes.[70]

Pricing of solar energy

The price of solar power in North Carolina has been steadily decreasing since its introduction. Currently, the average price for one watt of solar power is $2.29 during the installation process.[71] This has also decreased further via economic incentives and subsidies.[71] The federal solar tax credit reduces the cost of installation by up to 30%.[71] The average period for the solar powers to pay for their own installation, however, is 11 years in North Carolina.[71]

WattageCost
6W$13.72
7W$16.00
8W$18.29
9W$20.56
10W$22.26
There are also systems in place such as home equity loans, also known as home equity line of credit (HELOC), which utilize the house as collateral, providing a lump sum payment that can be paid back over the course of several years.[71] This aids in covering the initial high cost of a full 3-10kW solar power system, which may not be affordable for some people without financing.[71]

Solar power distribution potential

Research efforts are ongoing to improve and maximize the amount of North Carolina's energy that is sourced from solar energy. One area of interest is agricultural land that has an adjacent water shed. A case study was performed in 2020 to find potential areas that would maximize the economic impact of solar farms and minimize the impacts on land and the environment.[72] The environmental impacts were found to be minimal compared to other energy sources like coal and fossil fuels that create pollution in the runoff and water sheds.[72] The study also found that in the eastern part of the state there already exists a relationship between farmlands and active solar farms. It was shown that many agricultural areas are located by watersheds that have high levels of water pollution and damage caused by current energy practices.[72] The study concluded that using agricultural land adjacent to water sheds has high potential.[72] With the availability of this land and the benefits associated, solar energy has the potential to source up to 40% of North Carolina's total energy production.[72]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual /2017/06/19
  2. Stokes . Leah C. . Breetz . Hanna L. . February 2018 . Politics in the U.S. energy transition: Case studies of solar, wind, biofuels and electric vehicles policy . Energy Policy . 113 . 76–86 . 10.1016/j.enpol.2017.10.057 . 2018EnPol.113...76S . 0301-4215.
  3. Web site: Utility Scale Solar Energy: North Carolina's Emergent Success. Lauren Shwisberg. The Energy Collective. February 27, 2014. September 5, 2014.
  4. Web site: NC quietly becomes a star on solar energy stage. Daniel Gross. The News & Observer. July 5, 2014. September 5, 2014.
  5. Web site: Solar farms taking root in North Carolina. Steve DeVane. The Fayetteville Observer. July 18, 2014. September 5, 2014.
  6. Web site: Solar For All NC DEQ . 2024-11-17 . www.deq.nc.gov.
  7. Curtis . Scott . Etheridge . Randall . Malali . Praveen . Peralta . Ariane L. . Filho . Faete . 2020 . Planning for Future Solar Farm Development in North Carolina: A Geographic Food Energy-Water Approach . Southeastern Geographer . 60 . 1 . 48–64 . 10.1353/sgo.2020.0004 . 1549-6929.
  8. Molly A. Seltzer. "There's a New Job in the Solar Industry." Smithsonian Magazine. February 6, 2018.
  9. Curtis . Scott . Etheridge . Randall . Malali . Praveen . Peralta . Ariane L. . Filho . Faete . 2020 . Planning for Future Solar Farm Development in North Carolina: A Geographic Food Energy-Water Approach . Southeastern Geographer . 60 . 1 . 48–64 . 10.1353/sgo.2020.0004 . 1549-6929.
  10. Web site:
  11. Web site: Solar Spotlight – North Carolina . Solar Energy Industries Association. October 18, 2019.
  12. https://www.eia.gov/state/print.php?sid=NC
  13. Web site: PV Watts. NREL. May 17, 2012.
  14. Web site: North Carolina Solar Projects . dominionenergy.com . January 31, 2018.
  15. Web site: Solar Power Projects . duke-energy.com . June 18, 2017.
  16. Web site: Bethel Price Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 10, 2015.
  17. Web site: Solar Power Projects . duke-energy.com . June 18, 2017.
  18. Web site: Solar Power Projects . duke-energy.com . June 18, 2017.
  19. Web site: Conetoe II . sunenergy1.com . June 18, 2017.
  20. Web site: Massive Duke Energy solar farm signs contract with Lockheed Martin . bladenonline.com . June 18, 2017.
  21. Web site: Duke Energy signs large out-of-state deal for power from N.C. solar farm . bladenonline.com . June 18, 2017.
  22. Web site: North Carolina solar was hot in 2015; Duke Energy led the charge . January 20, 2016 . news.duke-energy.com . June 18, 2017.
  23. Web site: Duke looking to the sun . November 2, 2017 . Davie County Enterprise Record . March 26, 2018.
  24. Web site: Dogwood Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  25. Web site: Solar Power Projects . duke-energy.com . June 18, 2017.
  26. Web site: Duke Energy acquires Halifax Solar Project in Eastern North Carolina . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  27. Web site: Holiness Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  28. Web site: Martins Creek Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  29. Web site: Millfield Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  30. Web site: Duke Energy delivered sunshiny days in North Carolina in 2017 . January 30, 2018 . duke-energy.com . March 26, 2018.
  31. Web site: Murfreesboro Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  32. Web site: Solar Power Projects . duke-energy.com . June 20, 2017.
  33. Web site: Shelby Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  34. Web site: Solar Power Projects . duke-energy.com . June 18, 2017.
  35. Web site: Taylorsville Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  36. Web site: Solar Power Projects . duke-energy.com . June 21, 2017.
  37. Web site: Washington Airport Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 11, 2015.
  38. Web site: Washington White Post Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 10, 2015.
  39. Web site: Wingate Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 10, 2015.
  40. Web site: Windsor Cooper Hill Solar Project Highlights . duke-energy.com . September 10, 2015.
  41. Web site: Report . Staff . 2024-11-10 . Solar park opens in Misenheimer . 2024-11-18 . Salisbury Post . en.
  42. Web site: Camp Lejeune Solar Project . duke-energy.com . June 18, 2017.
  43. Web site: Duke Energy unveils 450-acre Elm City solar farm . wilsontimes.com . June 18, 2017.
  44. Web site: Duke opens Elm City solar farm . wilsontimes.com . June 18, 2017.
  45. Web site: Duke Energy solar site near DuPont now online . March 4, 2016 . wilsontimes.com . June 18, 2017.
  46. Web site: Duke Energy opens second largest solar farm in the state in Warsaw . witn.com . June 18, 2017.
  47. Web site: Duke Energy commits $500 million to North Carolina solar power expansion . December 11, 2014 . Duke Energy.
  48. Web site: 2020 . Duke Energy begins construction of nearly 100 megawatts of new solar capacity in North Carolina . 2024-11-18 . Duke Energy News Center . en.
  49. Web site: 2021 . Duke Energy, Wells Fargo, NextEra Energy Resources join forces on major solar expansion in North Carolina . 2024-11-18 . Duke Energy News Center . en.
  50. Web site: Norman . Will . 2024-11-05 . Duke Energy gets approvals for North Carolina solar, storage and gas expansions . 2024-11-18 . PV Tech . en-US.
  51. Web site: 2022 . Duke Energy outlines progress on clean energy transition . 2024-11-18 . Duke Energy News Center . en.
  52. Web site: NC 102 - Recurrent Energy . October 18, 2019.
  53. Web site: IS-42 - Recurrent Energy . October 18, 2019.
  54. "Electric Power Annual State Data"http://eia.gov/electricity/data/state 1990-2017 Existing Name Plate and Summer Capacity by Energy Source and State retrieved April 11, 2019
  55. "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser" http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly Table 1.17B retrieved March 15, 2019
  56. "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser "http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly Report 1.14 retrieved March 17, 2019
  57. "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser "http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly Report 1.13 retrieved March 17, 2019
  58. "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser "http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly Report 1.6 retrieved March 17, 2019
  59. "Energy Information Administration (EIA)"http://eia.gov/electricity/data/browser Table 1.17B Net Generation from Solar by state by sector retrieved April 11, 2019
  60. Web site: Electricity Data Browser. February 2, 2022. eia.gov.
  61. http://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual "Electric Power Annual"
  62. http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_1_17_b "Electric Power Monthly"
  63. Web site: Duke Energy proposes $62 million solar rebate program . . March 26, 2018.
  64. Web site: State OKs Duke Energy's $62 million solar rebate program: Do you qualify?. . May 23, 2018.
  65. Web site: Solar For All NC DEQ . 2024-11-18 . www.deq.nc.gov.
  66. Web site: Duke Energy Solar Center .
  67. Web site: Bailey Mill Solar Center .
  68. Web site: Half Moon Solar Center .
  69. Web site: Rattler Solar Center .
  70. Web site: Duke Energy Longleaf Solar Power Center .
  71. Web site: Solar Panel Cost Data . . November 15, 2024.
  72. Curtis . Scott . Etheridge . Randall . Malali . Praveen . Peralta . Ariane L. . Filho . Faete . 2020 . Planning for Future Solar Farm Development in North Carolina: A Geographic Food Energy-Water Approach . Southeastern Geographer . 60 . 1 . 48–64 . 10.1353/sgo.2020.0004 . 1549-6929.

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