Duke Energy Builds 3 Solar Projects in North Carolina

         Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, has begun construction of three utility-scale solar power projects totaling 30 megawatt solar energy in Eastern North Carolina. The 20 megawatt Dogwood Solar Power Project is located in Halifax County, near Scotland Neck. The company is also building two 5 megawatt projects, one in Bertie County near Windsor, named Windsor Copper Hill Solar; the other, Bethel Price Solar, is in Pitt County, near Bethel.
          "We are pleased to be expanding our presence in Eastern North Carolina and bringing significant community development benefits to these counties," said Duke Energy Renewables President Greg Wolf. "The projects generate valuable tax revenue, provide supplemental income for landowners and bring clean, renewable energy to the state." Power from these projects will be sold through long-term fixed price contracts. SunEnergy1, a solar design, engineering and construction company based in Mooresville, North Carolina, is building the photovoltaic projects, which are expected to be complete by the end of 2013.
           "When the sun is shining and the plants are operating, the 30 megawatt of solar energy generated by the three projects will supply enough electricity to power about 6,000 homes," said Kenny Habul, CEO of SunEnergy1. "We are proud to be partnered with Duke Energy and applaud their continued commitment to bring economic growth and renewable solar power to these counties that can repeat tangible benefits from the projects."

Duke Energy Renewables' 14 megawatt Blue Wing Solar Project in San Antonio, Texas, one of 20 solar farms the company owns across the U.S.

Solar Energy Helps Power 4th Grade Classrooms

           In Durham, North Carolina, a classroom of fourth graders have been learning upon the subject of solar energy and other energy sources from their teacher, Aaron Sebens, and have came up with the idea of having their own classrooms powered by solar power energy. The video below features the journey they came across from arising to the idea to making it a reality, where it ends in having a celebratory party, whereas Aaron and his students officially "flips the switch."
           To fund the project, Aaron and his class has launched a crowd-funding campaign that asked for support throughout America and around the world. The students had originally hoped to raise $800 but significantly, beat their expectations by raising to more than $5000.

 

Apple Inc. owns Largest Private Solar System in U.S.

       Apple Inc. had announced on Friday that fully 75% of its corporate facilities as well as their data centers are powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal power. This is because Apple has built the nation's largest privately owned solar array for its Maiden, N.C., data center.
       "In 2012, we completed construction on the nation's largest end user-owned, onsite photovoltaic array on land surrounding the data center," the company had disclosed on Friday, announcing plans to shoot for 100% renewable power sources. "The 100-acre 20-megawatt facility is able to produce 42 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy sources," Apple said. "And we're currently building a second 20-megawatt solar photovoltaic facility on nearby land that should be operational in late 2013."
        Apple has also operated a 10-megawatt fuel cell installation at Maiden, which uses biogas to create 83 million kilowatt hours of energy. "It's the largest such facility not operated by a power company in the country," the company had claimed.
        Greenpeace International senior IT analyst Gary Cook had applauded Apple Inc. for how far it has come, while also noting the challenges ahead. "Apple's announcement shows that it has made real progress in its commitment to lead the way to a clean energy future," Cook said. "Apple still has major roadblocks to meeting its 100% clean energy commitment in North Carolina, where renewable energy policies are under siege and electric utility Duke Energy is intent on blocking wind and solar energy from entering the grid," he added.
        Apple proclaimed, "Its goal was not for just North Carolina but for facilities across the country and around the world. We won't stop working until we achieve 100% throughout Apple."

Apple has built the nation's largest privately owned solar array for its Maiden, N.C., data center