The solar energy site near DuPont Fayetteville Works is now online and generating electricity, according to Duke Energy Spokesman Randy Wheeless.
The solar farm at the DuPont site will generate about 23 megawatts of electricity.
“It began producing electricity for the grid in December. It is one of our larger projects,” said Wheeless.
He added that Duke Energy is continuing to expand its green energy portfolio and that four solar projects were completed in 2015 and more projects are preparing to take place. The latest project that Duke Energy is embarking on is a solar farm in Rowan County.
“We are continuing to expand our solar portfolio,” said Wheeless.
Currently there are 23 solar facilities in the state, according to Wheeless.
“We feel very good about solar,” said Wheeless.
He added that solar is a very alternative energy source in North Carolina. Wheeless said North Carolina is fourth in the nation in solar power.
Wheeless said that Duke Energy is not just exploring solar energy. He said the company is also exploring projects that can take swine waste and turn it into usable energy. Wheeless said the project may not necessarily belong to Duke Energy, but Duke will purchase the energy produced by the project.
He said wind turbine projects are not on the radar for Duke Energy in North Carolina. Wheeless said wind farms are more popular in the Midwest.
Wheeless another project Duke Energy is involved with is a potential nuclear power generating plant.
“We have a site in South Carolina in Cherokee County that we have identified as a possible nuclear site in the future,” said Wheeless.
He stressed the project is in its infancy and is still going through the necessary permitting processes. Wheeless added that a nuclear power generating plant is a major investment.
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