Duke Energy Renewables acquires six North Carolina solar projects from Community Energy

Duke Energy Renewables has acquired six 5-megawatt (MW) solar projects in Eastern North Carolina from Community Energy.

Five of the six sites are in service, with the final project, Seaboard, coming on line in May. Collectively, these facilities will generate enough solar energy to power about 6,000 homes. The projects are the following:

• Tarboro Solar in Edgecombe
• Winton Solar in Hertford
• Seaboard Solar in Northampton
• Woodland Solar in Northampton
• Gaston Solar in Northampton
• Garysburg Solar in Northampton

Output from the solar projects is being sold to Dominion NC Power under 15-year agreements. Gehrlicher Solar America Corp., a division of M&W Americas Inc., constructed the projects. About 135,000 solar modules were installed on the six sites.

Greg Wolf, president, Duke Energy Commercial Portfolio, stated:

"Last year, our commercial and regulated businesses added 300 MW of solar power in North Carolina, and these projects continue the momentum of renewable energy growth in the state. We're pleased to work with Community Energy and proud to be a part of the economic development and jobs the solar industry has brought to North Carolina."

Eric Blank, president, Community Energy Solar, commneted:

"Community Energy was one of the early entrants into both North Carolina and eastern solar markets and greatly appreciates the opportunity to now be working with an industry leader like Duke Energy Renewables on these projects."

Last year alone, Duke Energy added 300 MW of solar energy inNorth Carolina. In total, Duke Energy companies, both regulated and commercial, have installed about 450 MW of solar energy in the state, enough to power 85,000 average homes at peak production.

Duke Energy has invested more than $4 billion in renewable energy and plans to invest about $3 billion over the next five years.