Duke Energy is rapidly expanding its renewable energy portfolio; this Wednesday the company announced it has begun construction of the Speedway Solar project; a 22 megawatts solar facility in Cabarrus County, in North Carolina.
Firstly, the project will be owned and operated by Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions; which is a new brand on the Duke Energy company portfolio, which also includes Duke Energy Renewables.
Secondly, the plant will include 77,000 Jinko bifacial modules with a single-axis tracking system; such infrastructure will allow it to power at least 5000 American homes. The company expects to achieve commercial operations by the end of 2021.
Thirdly, the project is going to be located on 185 acres in Midland, N.C.; near the corner of Wallace Road and Bethel Avenue Extension. It was procured after the state’s Competitive Procurement for Renewable Energy program.
Moreover, during its peak construction phase, the project will employ about 70 workers. It will also provide with indirect economic benefits to the region; such as increased local spending in the service.
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Duke Energy to provide substantial benefits to community
Furthermore, the Speedway Solar will also have a positive economic impact on the local community by providing local tax revenues to the county and local school districts, as well as meaningful payments to the participating landowners.
On the other hand, Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, said about the project. “Duke Energy is making an aggressive push to expand renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions and achieve a net-zero carbon goal for 2050. An expansion of solar power will be a key element of that effort.”
In addition, Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, commented. “We’re pleased to be able to add more clean energy resources to the state. This facility will not only address the increasing clean energy needs of our communities; but will also deliver significant economic benefits to Cabarrus County.”
Finally, the project’s design, procurement of inverters, balance of plant systems and construction will be executed by Swingerton. And the solar power generated by it will be delivered through power purchase agreements.
