Davidson County Solar Farm
| Company type | Photovoltaic power station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Renewable energy |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | SunEdison |
| Headquarters | Linwood , United States |
Area served | Davidson County, North Carolina |
| Products | Solar power |
Number of employees | 3 (maintenance) |
| Parent | SunEdison |
The Davidson County Solar Farm is a photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 17.2 megawatts, situated near Linwood in North Carolina. This solar power project was developed by SunEdison, and its generated electricity is sold to Duke Energy. Covering an area of 200 acres along North Carolina Highway 47, the facility contributes to renewable energy production in the region.
Economics
In May 2008, the Davidson County Board of Commissioners authorized subsidies totaling $1.8 million to support land grading activities, along with scheduled monetary disbursements spanning from 2009 through 2011. The initiative also secured $127 million in capital from investors. Construction of the solar farm resulted in the creation of 80 temporary jobs and three ongoing maintenance roles. Under state legislation promoting solar energy, SunEdison receives annual tax rebates. Initially, the company evaluated a much larger site of approximately 2,400 acres near Interstate 85 but discontinued plans after the landowner refused to sell, despite having expended $134,000 on feasibility assessments.
Efficiency
SunEdison's project aligns with North Carolina's 2007 renewable portfolio standard mandating that utilities such as Duke Energy obtain at least 12.5% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021. The solar farm's nameplate capacity of 21.5 megawatts translates to 18 megawatts of peak alternating current output and helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 32 million pounds annually. It produces sufficient power to meet the needs of more than 2,600 households and utilizes GPS tracking systems to maximize solar panel orientation for optimal energy capture.
See also
- Solar power
- Photovoltaics
- Solar power in the United States
- List of photovoltaic power stations
- Renewable energy commercialization