Solar Energy
Duke Energy is making significant investments in solar power, through both the company’s regulated and commercial business lines. We are primarily focused on photovoltaic (PV) solar technology, due to its relative cost and maturity. However, we have also funded solar thermal projects and continue to explore the potential of concentrated PV solar solutions.
Using Solar Energy to Help Power our Communities
Duke Energy is developing innovative solar projects and programs that help the company and its customers benefit from this zero-emissions renewable resource. We use the output of these distributed resources to contribute to our renewable energy portfolio goals and help Duke Energy comply with various state renewable energy mandates.
In North Carolina, for instance, electric utilities are required to use a combination of renewable resources and energy efficiency to meet 12.5 percent of electricity demand by 2021. To help achieve that goal, Duke Energy operates several large-scale solar projects.
- In 2009, Duke Energy secured approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission to install solar panels on the rooftops and grounds of select warehouses, schools, manufacturing facilities and other buildings. This 10-megawatt (MW), $50 million project produces enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,300 average-sized homes. It represents one of the first large-scale solar distributed generation deployments in the U.S. Visit the North Carolina Solar Distributed Generation page for additional detail.
- Duke Energy is also purchasing all of the output from a 16-megawatt solar farm in Davidson County, N.C., under the terms of a 20-year agreement. The solar farm supplies enough electricity to power more than 2,600 homes in the Carolinas.
Additional projects include:
- 3.3 total MW in Wake County, N.C.
- 1.9 MW in Person County, N.C.
- 1.27 MW in Craven County, N.C.
- 1.2 MW in New Hanover County, N.C.
We also purchase the output of hundreds of small, residential solar PV systems in our service territories. In addition, we’re working to unlock the full potential of intermittent renewable technologies by investing in research and development projects that enable the widespread use of solar power. See the Additional Solar Projects page for some examples of our solar projects and community initiatives.
Residential Customer Solar Programs and Incentives
Duke Energy offers our residential customers a variety of options to support solar power and install rooftop PV systems:
- Duke Energy North Carolina
- Duke Energy South Carolina
- Duke Energy Progress
- Duke Energy Florida
- Duke Energy Indiana
- Duke Energy Kentucky
- Duke Energy Ohio
Building Solar Solutions for Commercial Customers
In 2009, Duke Energy began building and operating PV solar projects for commercial business customers throughout the U.S. This business line – which serves customers outside the company’s regulated service areas – is dedicated to delivering customized solar solutions for other utilities, municipalities and large business customers.
Duke Energy Renewables, the company's commercial wind and solar business unit, owns 11 large-scale solar farms in five states totaling more than 50 MW of zero-emission power generation. Visit the Duke Energy Renewables Solar Energy page for more information.
SunSense® Solar Commercial Incentive Programs
SunSense solar incentive programs provide our commercial customers with financial assistance to install rooftop solar power systems at their businesses:
Duke Energy Florida Programs
