An announcement from Duke Energy reports that a 1 megawatt photovoltaic array is planned for the city of Shelby, and that a 20-year power purchase agreement has been signed with North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1.
The agreement was reached with a Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS), which is a commercial business unit of the larger energy company. This particular project is said to be the first renewable energy project to be run in North Carolina by DEGS.
In the announcement, Graham Edwards, CEO of ElectriCities, which provides management services for the power agency, said that the deal will help provide "peak power during the daylight hours while also helping to maintain our very small carbon footprint."
Under the deal, the city of Shelby is said to be providing 10 acres of land for the project under lease. Shelby Mayor Ted Alexander indicated that the city hopes to provide "like-minded business and industry" by demonstrating its support for clean energy.
