Principal Solar and Duke Energy Progress announced Monday an agreement for a second large solar farm in the region. About half of the facility will be built in Bladen County.
Principal Solar will build a 72.9 megawatt solar facility on an approximate 267-acre tract straddling the Bladen County-Cumberland County line near Rufus Johnson Road. About 152 acres are in Bladen County. Duke Energy Progress has signed a 10-year agreement to buy energy from the project.
“This latest solar facility, our second major announcement in 2015, demonstrates Principal Solar’s momentum and leadership in the solar utility sector, meeting the growing demand for zero-emission, cost efficient energy.” said Michael Gorton, Chairman and CEO of PSI. “Both of these projects have stable sources of revenue and demonstrate the growing importance of solar power to the U.S. energy industry.”
PSI acquired the right to develop the Bladen-Cumberland project from Innovative Solar Systems of Asheville. The acquisition is expected to close no later than Aug. 30, with construction to be completed in early 2016, the company says.
In February, Principal Solar announced plans to build a 78.5 megawatt facility near Hope Mills, which will be the largest solar project east of the Rockies.
According to the company, the two solar farms will have a combined capacity to generate 151.4 megawatts, which is enough to power an estimated 14,400 homes.
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