SunEdison Announces 1.2 MW PV System at Progress Energy’s Sutton Plant

WILMINGTON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services provider, today announced the activation of a 1.2 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar energy system for Progress Energy. Located on approximately 10 acres at Progress Energy’s Sutton Plant near Wilmington, the 1.2 MW ground mount system is the largest in North Carolina.

SunEdison financed, built, and operates the PV solar energy system. Progress Energy purchases electricity from SunEdison under a 20-year solar energy purchase agreement. The system is part of Progress Energy’s mix of resources used to meet the needs of 1.4 million households and businesses in the Carolinas. Progress Energy also purchases renewable energy credits from SunEdison.

“Solar energy is a growing part of our company’s balanced strategy for meeting the needs of our customers,” said Lloyd Yates, CEO and president of Progress Energy Carolinas. “We will continue to pursue cost-effective renewable energy investments in meeting state goals and objectives. Hand in hand with the increased investment in alternative energy sources is our aggressive promotion of energy efficiency, as well as our commitment to ensure that we have state-of-the-art power plants and infrastructure. We’re focused on innovation, while ensuring that the electric service our customers depend on remains reliable, affordable and environmentally sound.”

“Progress Energy is taking a strong leadership position in the utility industry. Through action and stewardship, Progress is showing that incorporating solar into an existing utility portfolio can be done quickly and without any upfront capital costs. SunEdison is proud to support Progress as we continue to develop solutions that help utilities meet regulatory requirements and meet customers’ desire for clean solar electricity,” said Kirk Roller, Vice President, SunEdison.

SunEdison proposed the Wilmington solar PV project in response to Progress Energy’s request for renewable energy proposals. The open-ended request is part of Progress Energy’s plan to meet the requirements of North Carolina’s energy law, passed in 2007.

This system is part of SunEdison’s rapidly growing utility segment portfolio, which also includes an 8.2 MW PV solar energy system in Alamosa, Colorado, the nation’s largest supporting substation loads.