Duke Energy buys solar field output

Yesterday, Duke Energy announced it purchased the output (16 megawatts) of what will be the largest solar field in the US - to be built, owned, and operated by SunEdison just north of Charlotte in Davidson County. By law, Duke is required to produce 12.5% of its energy from renewable sources by 2018.

You can find coverage on CNN, the N & O, the Charlotte Observer.

North Carolina will see a large upswing in greencollar jobs due to the solar field, which will employ only three permanent positions but is expected to require many contractors.

From the Charlotte Observer:

Wednesday's agreement is part of Duke's expansion into renewable energy."It shows (the state law) is working, and it's a highly visible step toward a renewable-energy economy," said Molly Diggins, state director of the Sierra Club. The deal also proves, Diggins said, that the sun and wind are viable energy competitors in a South of cheap coal.