A new solar farm in Taylorsville, NC is up and running and powering numerous homes and businesses in the community served by EnergyUnited. The solar project consists of 4,224 photovoltaic (PV) panels that can generate enough energy to power 150 homes. Unlike some solar systems that are designed using conventional fixed-tilt technologies, this project uses a tracking systems to follow the sun’s movement during the day, increasing the capture of sunlight, thusly increasing the amount of energy produced. It also reduces the amount of land needed for a solar project.

EnergyUnited provides electricity to residents of 20 counties in the state, and will buy all the energy produced from the one-megawatt (MW) solar farm. The company signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with DEGS, a division of Duke Energy. This is DEG’s third completed solar project with a 1-MW PV solar farms in Shelby, NC and a 14-MW facility in San Antonio, TX.

“At EnergyUnited, we’re committed to helping build a clean energy future for our members,” said Wayne Wilkins, CEO of the cooperative. “The solar farm, along with power produced at the Iredell County landfill, allows us to meet state requirements for renewable energy, while continuing to provide reliable energy services at competitive prices.”

North Carolina passed a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard that requires utilities to purchase 10 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2018. As such, EnergyUnited will receive the associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the solar project.

“Our goal is to help customers make strategic investments in renewable energy in a way that’s affordable and practical,” said Greg Wolf, DEGS senior vice president and head of its commercial solar business. “We’re pleased to add EnergyUnited to our growing list of quality customers.”

In addition to its renewable energy contracts, EnergyUnited is also researching potential investments in hydropower, wind power and biomass projects.