Raleigh Water Plant Sprouts New Rooftop Solar Power Array

Raleigh, NC - A water treatment plant in Raleigh, N.C., is now home to one of the state's largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Carolina Solar Energy built the 250-kilowatt (kW) array at the city of Raleigh's E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant, and is selling its output to Progress Energy Carolinas for distribution to its customers.

This solar PV array is made possible by Progress Energy's SunSenseSM commercial solar PV program, which is designed to encourage the development of renewable energy by offering a premium price for solar power developed on commercial rooftops. In 2009, Progress Energy accepted proposals for a total of more than 2,000 kW under this program.

"We are committed to developing solar power, along with energy efficiency and state-of-the-art power plants, as part of a balanced approach to meeting our region's growing energy demand," said Lloyd Yates, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Carolinas. "Our SunSense programs and this project continue our long history of partnering with local communities, and we are proud to help advance this innovative technology."

This solar PV array is the first in the Southeast to use First Solar's thin-film PV technology, which allows the panels to generate electricity for longer periods during the day. It was commissioned on Dec. 30, 2009, and is expected to generate approximately 325,000 kilowatt-hours this year – roughly equal to the annual energy demand of 22 typical homes. The PV array will reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 230 tons, which is equivalent to conserving 26,000 gallons of gasoline.

The E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant is located at the southwest corner of Falls of the Neuse and Raven Ridge roads in Raleigh. The array is located on the roof of the plant's "clearwell," a large concrete structure that stores clean water before it is sent to be used by city residents. Carolina Solar Energy has a 20-year lease with the city, and the city has an option to buy the solar array in the future. No city capital investment was required for the project.

"The City of Raleigh is aggressively pursuing every possibility in the realm of sustainability," said Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker. "Bringing all of these local elements together to this rooftop is producing not only kilowatt energy but enthusiasm and creative energy for what all we can do next."

The city and Progress Energy Carolinas, which is headquartered in Raleigh, have already partnered on several "green" initiatives. These include installing energy-efficient LED streetlights, preparing the city for electric vehicles through the NC Get Ready project and announcing a 1.2-megawatt solar PV array to be built at the Neuse River Waste Water Treatment Plant.

This is the third solar project that Carolina Solar Energy has developed with Progress Energy. The other two solar PV arrays are a 75-kW array at the RBC Center in Raleigh and a 650-kW array in Person County. Both are in operation.

"We believe consumer demand for green power will quickly outpace supply in our state," said Carolina Solar Energy founder Richard Harkrader. "One of our goals with this highly-visible project is to show that solar power isn't just for people in California and Arizona; it's feasible on a large scale here in North Carolina."

SOURCE: Raleigh