North Carolina regulators have given Duke Energy’s 5-megawatt solar project the green light to begin construction. This will be the company’s first solar project to be located on a retired county landfill.
The plant is expected to be in service by the end of 2021 and will produce enough energy annually to power about 1,000 homes and businesses.
Duke Energy will team up with Buncombe County to deliver the project, which will source its renewables from local generation. This project will allow the county to reach nearly 20 percent of its renewable goal with locally sourced clean energy.
“The people of Buncombe County recognize climate protection as one of the most urgent issues facing our world today,” said Brownie Newman, county board of commission chairman. “The solar landfill project is an important part of our initial strategy to accelerate the transition to clean, renewable energy.”