Woodfin Solar Project

Woodfin Solar Project
Creating a cleaner energy future
At Duke Energy, we believe generating electricity from renewable resources will play an important role in the transition to cleaner energy. That's why we're developing innovative renewable energy projects to serve communities and meet the needs of the overall grid.
Project Overview
Located in the town of Woodfin, N. C., Duke Energy Progress will construct, own and operate the Woodfin Solar facility under a 25-year agreement with Buncombe County. Five-megawatts of clean generation from the solar array will connect to the Duke Energy Progress power grid and utilize 25 acres of retired landfill space.
Approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Woodfin Solar is expected to come online in the summer of 2022 and will produce enough energy annually to offset the electricity use of approximately 1,000 homes.
Benefits to the Community
- Helps advance Buncombe County's renewable energy goals
- Creates approximately 40-50 new construction jobs
- Provides 5 MW of clean, renewable energy for community residents and businesses
- Increases tax revenues for Buncombe County
- Generates economic benefits to local businesses during construction
Environmental Mission
Duke Energy Progress is bringing more renewable energy to North Carolina with the construction of Woodfin Solar on a retired Buncombe County landfill. Buncombe County has a longstanding interest in reducing its environmental footprint, as evidenced by the landfill Gas-to-Energy facility. Adding solar panels to the site is an extension of this mission, and brings a renewed purpose to the landfill area that would otherwise remain idle. To avoid disturbing the ground covering, the solar racking system will be built on concrete blocks instead of being anchored into the ground.
Woodfin Solar will allow the county to reach nearly 20% of its 2030 renewable energy goals with locally sourced clean energy. Buncombe County will own the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) produced by the facility to offset the energy used for the county’s operations.
Operational Features
- Safe, quiet generation
- No air emissions or waste production
- Minimal water usage
- Low visual impact
- No impact on local traffic
Site Map

Proposed Project Schedule
Construction of a solar facility may take up to 12 months. For a more detailed look at a typical solar project schedule, please see the Solar Construction Timeline document.
Planning and Development
Spring 2021
Construction Begins
Fall 2021
Estimated Project Completion
Summer 2022