Duke Energy has started construction of the 50 MW Broad River solar power plant in Cleveland County, NC.
The project will be owned and operated by Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial subsidiary of Duke Energy. The project was selected as part of the tendering process established by the 2017 solar legislation. The power plant will contain more than 170,000 solar panels in approximately 500 acres near Boiling Springs. It is expected to go into commercial operation by the end of 2021.
"Solar energy continues to play a large role in our aggressive drive to reduce carbon emissions and meet our net-zero carbon target for 2050," said Stephen De May, president of Duke Energy North Carolina. "We will continue to deliver renewable energy by building and buying more carbon-free electricity for our customers."
As part of competitive renewable energy procurement in North Carolina, there are planned projects to be built that require energy capacity for the Duke Energy system in North Carolina or South Carolina. Offers can come from any company, including Duke Energy, and take the form of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), proprietary utility facilities, or purchase of utilities.
Broad River Solar will create around 120 jobs during the construction phase. In addition to the indirect economic benefits associated with the development of solar projects, such as For example, by increasing local spending in the service and construction industries, Broad River Solar will also have a positive economic impact on the local community by providing local tax revenue to the county and local school districts. as well as meaningful payments to the participating landowners.
The design of the facility, the procurement of inverters, the balance of the installation systems and the construction of the project will be performed by Swinerton. The solar power generated by Broad River Solar is sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
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