US-based Duke Energy Renewables has commenced operations at the 12.5MW Washington White Post solar farm in Beaufort County, North Carolina.
The solar farm comprises 53,000 solar panels and is expected to meet the power needs of 3,000 households.
Electricity produced at Washington White Post is procured by the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) under a 15-year power purchase agreement.
Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers remarked that the project supports the company’s goal to supply low-cost clean energy to the state of North Carolina.
Duke Energy Renewables president Greg Wolf added "With the 11 MW of commercial solar power we already generate in North Carolina, the Beaufort County facility more than doubles our solar capacity in the state. In fact, it is our largest solar power project in the eastern United States."
Solar contractor SunEnergy1 undertook the construction of the facility besides handling operations and maintenance.
Deatwyler Clean Energy, Bosch Solar Energy and the Sustainable Energy Community Development Company were some of the other entities from the state to be involved in the development of the project.