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.http://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual /2017/06/19
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 been identified as having significant potential for further solar energy expansion, supported by policy measures and technological advancements .
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. 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.
In North Carolina, the distribution of solar power production is mainly on land that is classified as agricultural land, at 63%. 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.Molly A. Seltzer. "There's a New Job in the Solar Industry." Smithsonian Magazine. February 6, 2018. 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.
Duke Energy is a large energy providing company. They have 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.
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 third in 2018) in total installed photovoltaics. As of 2023 this number is up to 9.33% being ranked 4th.
Currently operating
+Grid-connected PV capacityYear 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% Source: NREL
Major solar power projects currently operating in North Carolina
Dominion Energy +North Carolina solar projects Name Location MW Current status modules Footprint(acres) ClippertonSampson County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.) 56,640 28.52FremontWayne County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.) 21,128 29.76Gutenberg SolarNorthampton County79.9Operational as of 2019 (Sept.) 287,430 1,126IS37Anson County79Operational as of 2017 (Aug.) 344,056 550Moorings 2Lenoir County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.) 58,400 36Morgans CornerPasquotank County20Operational as of 2017 (Nov.) 81,054 110Mustang SolarMoore County5Operational as of 2018 (July) 21,300 30Pecan SolarNorthampton County74.9Operational as of 2018 (Dec.) 929,100 1,050PikevilleWayne County5Operational as of 2017 (Nov.)56,640 30Summit FarmsCurrituck County60Operational as of 2016 (Dec.) 650Wakefield SolarWake County5Operational as of 2017 (Dec.)22,300 30
Duke Energy Name Location MW Constructioncompleted PV modules Electricity purchaser (offtaker)Battleboro SolarEdgecombe County52015-04 23,300 Dominion North Carolina PowerBethel Price SolarPitt County52013-12 23,000 Dominion North Carolina PowerCapital Partners, Phase IElizabeth City 202014-12 93,000 George Washington UniversityAmerican UniversityGWU HospitalCapital Partners, Phase IIKelfordWhitakers 33.52015-12 147,300 George Washington UniversityAmerican UniversityGWU Hospital Conetoe IIEdgecombe County802015-09375,000Lockheed-Martin (38%)Corning (62%)Creswell SolarWashington County 142015-02 66,500 Dominion North Carolina Power Davie SolarDavie County292017 63,308 Dogwood SolarHalifax County202013-12 93,000 Everett's Wildcat SolarMartin County52014-12 23,300 Dominion North Carolina PowerHalifax Solar Power ProjectRoanoke Rapids202014-12 100,000 Dominion North Carolina PowerHoliness SolarMurphy12011-11 4,242 Tennessee Valley AuthorityMaiden Creek SolarCatawba County692021-01 -Martins Creek SolarMurphy1 4,400 Tennessee Valley AuthorityMillfield SolarBeaufort County52013-11 27,450 North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power AgencyMonroe SolarUnion County602017 Murfreesboro SolarMurfreesboro52011-12 19,960 North Carolina Electric Membership CorporationShawboro SolarCurrituck County202015-12 95,000 Dominion North Carolina Power Shelby SolarShelby12010-05 4,522 North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency Sunbury SolarGates County52015-08 23,000 Dominion North Carolina PowerTaylorsville SolarTaylorsville12010-10 4,224 EnergyUnitedTarboro SolarEdgecombe County52015-04 23,000 Dominion North Carolina PowerWashington Airport SolarBeaufort County52013-12 23,000 North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power AgencyWashington White Post SolarBeaufort County12.52012-12 53,000 North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power AgencyWingate SolarMurphy12011-08 4,340 Tennessee Valley AuthorityWindsor Cooper Hill SolarBertie County52013 23,000 Dominion North Carolina PowerMisenheimer Solar ParkStanly County52024-10Duke Energy Carolinas
+Duke Energy regulated utility Name Location MW Constructioncompleted PV modules Camp Lejeune SolarOnslow County17.252017-0355,000Elm City SolarWilson County402016-06487,000Fayetteville SolarCumberland County232015-12105,000Warsaw SolarDuplin County652016-06 850,000
On September 15, 2014, Duke Energy committed US$500 million to an expansion of solar power in North Carolina. Announced projects include: Warsaw Solar Facility (65 MW) – Duplin County, developed by Strata Solar. This was scheduled to be the largest PV plant east of the Mississippi River as of the announcement date. Elm City Solar Facility (40 MW) – Wilson County, developed by HelioSage Energy Fayetteville Solar Facility (23 MW) – Bladen County, developed by Tangent Energy Solutions
In addition, Duke Energy plans to 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 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 2020s:
Construction of new solar plants (January 2022): Duke Energy began constructing nearly 100 megawatts of new solar capacity in North Carolina, further expanding its renewable energy portfolio. Collaboration with Wells Fargo and NextEra Energy Resources (April 2021): Duke Energy partnered with Wells Fargo and NextEra Energy Resources to develop a 58-megawatt solar power plant in Catawba County, under the Green Source Advantage program. Green Source Advantage program expansion (October 2024): Duke Energy expanded its Green Source Advantage program, enabling more businesses to access renewable energy and work towards carbon-free operations. Carolinas Resource Plan Approval (November 2024): The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved Duke Energy's Carolinas Resource Plan, which outlines the addition of multiple gigawatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity over the next six years.
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.
Other generators (20MW+)
+Recurrent Energy(a subsidiary of Canadian Solar) Name Location MW ConstructioncompletedNC 102Cabarrus County74.8(102 MWP)2018IS-42Cumberland County71(92 MWP)2018
Generation
Using data available from the U.S. Energy Information Agency's Electric Power Annual 2017"Electric Power Annual State Data" 1990-2017 Existing Name Plate and Summer Capacity by Energy Source and State retrieved April 11, 2019 and "Electric Power Monthly Data Browser","Electric Power Monthly Data Browser" Table 1.17B retrieved March 15, 2019"Electric Power Monthly Data Browser " Report 1.14 retrieved March 17, 2019"Electric Power Monthly Data Browser " Report 1.13 retrieved March 17, 2019"Electric Power Monthly Data Browser " Report 1.6 retrieved March 17, 2019 the following table summarizes North Carolina's solar energy posture.
+ Solar-electric generation in North CarolinaYearFacilitiesSummer capacity (MW)Electric energy (GWh or M kWh)Capacity factorYearly growth of generating capacityYearly growth of produced energy% of NC renewable electric energy% of NC generated electric energy% of U.S. solar electric energy 2018 523 3982 6997 0.201 18.7% 25.4% 53.5% 5.2% 10.5% 2017 481 3355 5579 0.190 37.7% 63.1% 51.6% 4.3% 10.5% 2016 411 2437 3421 0.16 69.6% 149% 32.9% 2.6% 9.5% 2015 262 1436.8 1374 0.11 112.5% 88.5% 15.8% 1.07% 5.5% 2014 676 729 0.123 103% 111% 9.10% 0.60% 4.10% 2013 84 333.2 345 0.176 190.8% 148.2% 3.5% 0.27% 3.82% 2012 38 114.6 139 0.199 156.4% 717.7% 2.16% 0.12% 3.21% 2011 15 44.7 17 0.049 27.7% 54.6% 0.27% 0.01% 0.94% 2010 9 35 11 0.066 1067% 120% 0.16% 0.01% 0.91% 2009 3 3 5 0.190 0% 150% 0.07% 0.00% 0.56% 2008 3 3 2 0.152 0% 0% 0.04% 0.00% 0.23% 2007 0 0 0 0 0% 0% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
In summary, solar-electric generation 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)"Energy Information Administration (EIA)" Table 1.17B Net Generation from Solar by state by sector retrieved April 11, 2019 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 63 52 95 110 160 151 167 156 109 100 76 135 1,374 2016 168 175 348 300 265 320 336 448 328 254 182 298 3,421 2017 265 335 423 477 534 482 537 480 473 423 372 314 5,115 2018 402356 514 632 629 677 643 658 440 483 369 308 6,11120194103986616807727538387496835564814727,45120204774926418728738509557666506605524848,27420215175208171018108599010379869167757155489,922202263571996911571173125111741111104893866453411,373