Carolina Solar PowerRaleigh, N.C. – January, 2008:
Solar power pioneer Richard Harkrader, owner of Durham-based Carolina Solar Energy, has waited three years for this day.
After many lessons learned, the solar project his company began in 2004 is finally up and running on NC State’s campus next to the RBC Center in Raleigh, making it the largest privately financed solar photovoltaic (PV) array in North Carolina.
The 75.6 kilowatts (KW) system comprised of 432, ground-mounted solar panels was turned on Monday, Oct. 29. The power it generates is sold to Progress Energy.
“I believe consumer demand for green power will quickly outpace supply in our state, one of our goals with this project and our next, which is even bigger, is to show that solar power isn’t just for people in California and Nevada- it is feasible on a large scale right here in North Carolina today” said Harkrader.
Until now, the Tarheel State’s primary investors in solar power have been homeowners, environmentalists, and a smattering of green-niche companies and large corporations.
“The largest private solar pv systems in the past have typically been in the 10- to 30-kW range,” said Bob Kingery, co-owner of Southern Energy management, which collaborated in the design and installation of the system.
Thanks to a combination of factors – including federal and state tax incentives, the demand created by NC GreenPower, and the NC Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) legislation passed earlier this year – a real market transformation for renewable energy is happening in North Carolina.
“We’ve seen the demand for large solar systems grow rapidly over the past few years,” Kingery, said. “That growth is not only helping add to our state’s supply of clean energy, but it’s also creating jobs and strengthening our local economy.
“Steve Kalland, director of the N.C. Solar Center and a member of the NC GreenPower Board of Directors, couldn’t agree more. “At NC GreenPower, our mission is to supplement the state’s existing power supply with green energy, so we are certainly looking forward to more projects of this scale.”
“Photovoltaic solar technology has come a long way in the past few decades, and prices are dropping. But the NC GreenPower Program, the state and federal tax credits and the REPS are critical to the success of large-scale green energy in our state,” Harkrader said. “The technology is mature and prices are falling. There is now no doubt solar power is becoming a viable investment in North Carolina, and will improve the more large projects we build.”
“Our state is lucky to have an extremely dedicated sustainable community that has been pushing the envelope for years to educate people and make clean energy feasible.”
With demand for renewable energy increasing, CSE is working to install several 100-kW systems across the state at businesses, schools, shopping centers and government facilities interested in hosting solar arrays. Its next project, a 104-kW roof-mounted system, at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro will be completed in November. It will not only become the largest active solar PV system in NC, but also will be one of the largest systems in the entire Southeast.
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NCSU Solar Project, by the numbers
Equipment – 432 SolarWorld, 175 Watt solar panels, Satcon 75KW three phase inverter Annual electricity generation – 95,000 KW hours sufficient for 8-10 average NC homes. Project cost – $605,000. Annual emissions avoided – Avoids burning approximately 80,000 pounds of coal, 200,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 625 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 250 pounds of nitrogen oxide. (source NC Greenpower emission calculator) NCSU Solar Project Partners
Carolina Solar Energy, LLC – The project developer has 33 years of experience building, financing and developing solar and real estate projects. CSE develops solar PV projects 75 KW and larger. – www.carolinasolarenergy* Southern Energy Management – Design collaboration, construction and installation.
NC Solar Center – Operated by the College of Engineering, NC State University, the NC Solar Center assisted in design, permits and public education. Created in 1988, the North Carolina Solar Center serves is a clearinghouse for solar and renewable energy programs, information, research, technical assistance, and training. – www.ncsc.ncsu.edu
SunEdison – Business advisor and supplier of solar equipment. – www.sunedison.com
King Brothers Electric – Electrical interconnection to Progress Energy grid.
Bishop Construction – Foundations and site work.
Progress Energy – Purchaser of the electricity.
NC GreenPower – Purchaser of the renewable energy certificates (RECs).
BB&T Equipment Finance Corp. – Project financing.
Contacts
Richard Harkrader, Owner/Manager Carolina Solar Energy, LLC, 919-489-1656, rharkrader@mindspring.com
Steve Kalland, NC Solar Center, 919-513-1896, Steve_Kalland@ncsu.edu