Solar and Storage Keep Mountain Town Running After Power Loss from Hurricane Helene
Hot Springs in the Smoky Mountains was able to keep the power on after Hurricane Helene thanks to a solar plus storage microgrid. "“From the time we closed in at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 2, until the mobile weas installed at 10 a.m. on [Oct.] 8th, the downtown did not lose power. We powered it completely on solar and batteries,” said a Duke Energy employee. Without solar, the town would have been kept in the dark for at least another week.
Camp Lejeune Proud to Pair Battery Storage with Onsite Solar Project
Camp Lejeune just held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new battery storage system to pair with its onside solar facility. This will provide clean, secure, and reliable power for the military base that the commanding general said gives the base "a lot to be proud of."
Solar Microgrids Power Medical Clinics, Water Generators, and Communications Equipment After Hurricane Helene
After Hurricane Helene, the Footprint Project brought solar microgrids to towns to provide power. These solar microgrids powered hospitals, charging stations, water purification stations, and communications equipment.
Goshen Medical Center Installs Solar to Provide Reliable Power During Emergencies
The Goshen Medical Center in Clinton installed a rooftop solar array that can provide reliable power for up to 26 hours off grid. This will allow the hospital to provide emergency medical care in the event the grid goes down.
Clinton City Schools Turn on Milestone PV System
Clinton City Schools turned on a 107.8 kW rooftop solar array at the Sunset Avenue Elementary School. They received a guaranteed energy-saving contract, allowing the school to spend less on electricity bills and spend more on students.
Fort Liberty Saves Over $2 Million in First Year with Solar System
Fort Liberty installed a 1.1 MW floating solar system to pair with a 2 MWh battery system. This saved the military base over $2 million in its first year of operation and will allow the base to remain operational during power outages.
Sweet Potato Distributor in Clinton Runs on Solar
Farm Fresh sweet potato packaging installed a 91 kW rooftop solar array. This allows the producer to use the sun to grow their sweet potatoes and power their distribution center.
Craven Community College Offering Solar PV Training Program
Craven Community College developed a solar training program to prepare North Carolinians for a career in solar. The director of the Trade Programs is excited to offer practical training in such a high demand field.
Camden County Cities Reduce Electricity Bills and Pays of Bonds Thanks to Solar
The Thomastown Town Planner and Lincolnville Town Administrator hosted a townhall to discuss the benefits of solar. They highlighted how solar projects have lead to energy independence and cost savings.
Ocracoke Island's Microgrid Kept the Lights on During Power Outage
Ocracoke Island was able to keep the lights on during tourist season thanks to a microgrid that included 15 kW of solar and 1 MWh of battery storage. When the diesel generator broke, the solar plus storage microgrid was able to provide power to homes on the island.
Peace United Church of Christ Saves $9,000 Annually Thanks to Rooftop Solar Array
Peace UCC installed a rooftop solar array that will provide 86% of the church's electricity needs. This translates to $9,000 in savings annually.
Butler Hog Farm Uses Solar to Generate Income
Butler Hog Farms in Lillington installed a 20 kW solar array on their farm. The farm sells this electricity to the grid, providing a secondary source of income for the farmer.
Solar and Agriculture are 'Complementary, not Competing` in North Carolina
Sun-Raised Farms is a network of 17 farmers who provide sheep to graze underneath solar projects. This allows solar companies to maintain the lawn beneath their panels and gives the farmers space for their sheep to graze.
Solar Installations Help Rural Farmers in North Carolina
Marion Mitchell added a solar array to her 100 year old farm to add supplemental revenue. Similar projects are popping up and cutting electricity costs for many rural North Carolinians.
Pilgrim United Church of Christ Has Already Saved $50,000 with Solar Array
Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Durham installed a 47.2 kW solar array that dropped their electric bill from $11,000 to $3,300. This has already saved the church over $50,000.
Blessed Sacrament Friary in Burlington Installs Rooftop Solar Array
Blessed Sacrament Friary built a rooftop solar array, thanks to $95,000 in grants. During installation, school students were able to come ask questions and learn about solar energy.
Rooftop Solar Project in New Bern Provides Reliable Power to 200 Homes
ESA Renewables constructed a 1.3 MW rooftop solar array in Craven County. This project will provide enough clean, reliable energy to 200 North Carolina homes each year.
Hendersonville First United Methodist Church Receives Over Half of its Electricity from Rooftop Solar
Hendersonville First United Methodist Church installed a rooftop solar array that will provide over half of the congregation's electricity. Thanks to rebates, the solar array will pay for itself in just 12 years.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Reduces Energy Costs by $25,000 with Solar Investment
The Charlotte Motor Speedway added a 42,000 square foot solar deck. The solar deck has over 770 solar panels and saves the speedway more than $25,000 annually.
North Carolina Farm is Thriving Thanks to Solar Power
Ocean Natural Farm grows vegetables, fruit, and flowers. The farm relies on solar and storage to provide power to the farm and save on electricity costs.
Ten North Carolina Schools Win the Solar+ Schools Grant that Provides a 20 kW Solar Array
NC GreenPower awarded 10 schools with an educational package that includes a 20 kW solar array, STEM curriculum, teacher training, and more.
Asheville Brewery Completes a 446 kW Rooftop Solar Project
New Belgium Brewing completed a solar installation on the roof of its Asheville brewing location. The brewery has created 50 jobs and donated $1.4 million to 200 nonprofits across the state.
Solar Microgrid Returns Great Smoky Mountains National Park Land to the Wild
A 10 kW solar + storage microgrid is providing electricity to a communications building. This allows the park to remove a transmission line that was interfering with native vegetation.
Montgomery Sheep Farm Shows How Solar and Agriculture Work Together
The Montgomery Sheep Farm raises sheep on site and hosts a 28 MW solar project. The farm also has a smaller array that allows the farm to operate off-grid 70% of the time. The farm won the Solar Ranch of the Year award in 2024.
NC State Adds a 75.6 kW Solar Array on a Brownfield
N.C. State built a 75.6 kW solar array on a former agricultural pesiticde landfill. This brownfield could not have been used for most other development, and the project won a prestigious Department of Energy award.
Conover Manufacturer Installs Five Solar Projects
Vanguard Furniture built five roof mounted solar projects on ints project development and leather manufacturing facilities in Conover. These projects total 478 kW and provide significant savings for the manufacturer.
Johnson C Smith University Greenhouse Goes Solar
Johnson C Smith University's (JCSU) Sustainability village installed a roof top solar array on their greenhouse. The solar array will produce nearly 100% of the energy needed to power the greenhouse, leading to significant savings for the university.
North Carolina Receives $1.3 Million for Renewable Energy Projects
The USDA announced it is investing $1.3 million in renewable energy projects across North Carolina to help lower energy costs, generate new income, and create jobs for farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses. This includes an Alexander County Poultry and Beef Producer receiving $154,000 for a solar array and a Buncombe County Vineyard receiving $63,000 for a solar array.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse Switches to Solar
The Coast Guard is upgrading the Cape Lookout Lighthouse to solar power. This will drop maintenance costs for the lighthouse from $93,000 per year to about $1,200
Replacements Ltd Installs 1.32 MW Rooftop Solar Project
Replacements Ltd, the world's largest retailer of china, crystal, and silver based added a 1.32 MW rooftop solar project. The Guilford County retailer uses the solar array to help reduce electricity costs.
