North Carolina has moved up to second in the nation for installed solar power. Jared Brumbaugh has more.
The Charlotte Business Journal reports the state added about 115 megawatts worth of new solar capacity to its power grid in the second quarter, bringing the overall total for the state to more than 1.9 gigawatts of installed solar capacity. The primary driver for solar development in the state - Duke Energy - has 35 projects online and 2 under construction. Spokesperson Randy Wheeless says the number of solar installations will continue to grow.
“And really eastern North Carolina is leading the way because of the geography and land prices and just the nature of that area.”
Several large solar projects came online last year which put North Carolina in the number two spot, including the 80-megawatt Conetoe facility in Edgecombe County and the 64-megawatt Warsaw Solar Facility in Duplin County. California remains in the top spot for installed solar power. Arizona is ranked third, right behind North Carolina.
