For over twenty years, the North Carolina Solar Center has been providing free information, research, technical assistance and training to those interested in solar and other types of renewable energy. Through their programs, they’ve educated tens of thousands and have had a positive, material impact on the solar energy industry.
Given the Center’s prominence, perhaps it’s surprising that the North Carolina doesn’t get more of its power from solar resources. In 2008, 4 megawatts of solar PV capacity were added statewide, bringing the cumulative total to 4.7 megawatts and making North Carolina the 10th most solar state in the country.
Not bad, but an NC-based environmental advocacy group thinks the state can do better. Environment North Carolina yesterday released a report detailing the instate potential for solar power. Among their findings:
- Solar could supply 2 percent of the state’s electricity by 2020 and 14 percent by 2030
- One megawatt of solar power creates nine times as many jobs as installed one megawatt of coal or gas power
- Growth in small and medium solar energy installations has been limited by the availability of land and suitable roofs
To be honest, I didn’t have time this morning to dig into the report itself, so who knows what kinds of assumptions were used to arrive at these conclusions. But the jump in installed solar capacity in 2008, plus overall growth trends, seem to confirm the report’s general conclusion that solar has a bright future in North Carolina.
“North Carolina is just waking up to its potential as a leader in the Southeast in solar energy development,” said Steve Kalland, Exectuive Director of the NC Solar Center. “This project at NC State and all the new projects being announced are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Solar in North Carolina has Bright Future, Report Says http://tinyurl.com/yc6yutt