Duke Buys Up Solar Power

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duke_energy_logo3.jpgDuke Energy says it will purchase the entire electricity output of the nation's largest photovoltaic solar farm, which will be constructed in Davidson County, north of Charlotte, N.C.

Under 20-year agreements signed with SunEdison, Duke Energy expects its customers to receive more than 16 megawatts of power from the solar farm beginning no later than Dec. 31, 2010.

Duke Energy has invested $100 million in commercial-scale rooftop solar panels, VentureBeat reported earlier this month.

The third largest emitter of CO2 in the U.S., Duke Energy's 2007/2008 sustainability report (PDF) outlines a scenario that would enable it to cut its 2006 CO2 emissions in half -- by approximately 50 million tons -- by 2030.

In April, a wind farm in Indiana began supplying 100 megawatts of power to Duke Energy customers.

The SunEdison Photovoltaic Solar Power Farm Fact Sheet is available here. (PDF)

Environment + Energy Leader