SunEdison and Progress Energy have activated a 1.2-MW solar power system said to be the largest PV installation of its kind in North Carolina. The ground-mounted array is located on approximately 10 acres at Progress Energy’s Sutton Plant near Wilmington.
SunEdison financed, built, and operates the system, while Progress Energy buys electricity from the PV services provider under a 20-year solar energy purchase agreement. Progress Energy also purchases renewable energy credits from SunEdison.
The types of modules or inverters used were not disclosed.
"Progress Energy is taking a strong leadership position in the utility industry," said Kirk Roller, VP of SunEdison. "Through action and stewardship, Progress is showing that incorporating solar into an existing utility portfolio can be done quickly and without any upfront capital costs."
SunEdison said it proposed the Wilmington PV project in response to Progress Energy's request for renewable energy proposals; the open-ended request is part of the utility company's efforts to meet the requirements of the state's energy law, passed in 2007.