North Carolina becomes fourth US state to pass 1GW solar milestone

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The US state of North Carolina has passed the 1GW milestone for installed solar capacity, according to figures from the NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA).

North Carolina is the fourth US state to reach the 1GW mark behind California, Arizona and New Jersey.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

North Carolina’s solar industry, which leads the south-east US states with 1.04GW of PV, generates revenue of US$1.6 billion and accounts for more than 4,000 full-time jobs and 450 firms performing solar related activities in the state, according to NCSEA,

The growth of the sector in the last decade was put down to the state’s Renewable Energy Investment Credit (REITC), and its Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Standard (REPS), which mandates utility companies to buy a certain amount of their energy from renewable energy generators. North Carolina’s REPS currently stands at 6%.

However, the NC General Assembly recently decided to include a sunset of the REITC provision in next year’s budget

Allison Eckley, NCSEA communications manager, said: “This policy shift is not the first time our clean energy economy has faced challenges. However, we know this is a resilient industry. North Carolina clean energy firms have overcome multiple policy threats in an uncertain business climate to achieve tremendous growth in jobs and revenues since 2008.

“Firms indicate factors such as the quality of research and development collaboration, and the impact of our REPS, which remains intact and on track to reach its goals by 2021, are key contributors to this growth. We see a bright future for North Carolina’s 1GW solar market, and the host of other clean energy and energy efficiency resources driving our energy economy forward.”

Read Next

July 8, 2025
The Chinese government has moved to curb excessive competition in the PV sector and stabilise pricing as companies report growing losses.
July 8, 2025
Germany could install 500GW of new solar agrivoltaics (agriPV) capacity on its most 'suitable' land, according to Fraunhofer ISE.
July 8, 2025
Bulgarian-headquartered solar engineering company Sunotec has acquired 100% of the project company, SIA DSE Lazas Solar, from Danish Sun Energy. 
July 8, 2025
Donald Trump has issued an executive order to tighten restrictions on renewable energy tax credits just days after signing his “One, Big Beautiful Bill” act into law, which significantly cut federal support for renewables.
July 8, 2025
German solar glass manufacturer Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg (GMB) has filed for insolvency after posting monthly losses of €900,000 this year.
July 8, 2025
Energy consultancy JMK Research has forecast 28.3GW of utility-scale and residential solar PV to be installed in India during fiscal year 2026.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK