North Carolina is leading the Southeast in the emerging clean energy economy. Below is a sampling of what's happening in NC. Click here to learn more about these and many other recent innovations, announcements and advancements:- Swedish retailer IKEA will install a solar panel array on the roof of its Charlotte store by next summer, The Charlotte Observer reported. The plan is part of IKEA's program to add solar panels to nine stores and one distribution center in the southern U.S. The Charlotte store, which opened in 2009, will support 4,214 solar panels that will generate an estimated 1,330,000 kilowatt hours a year, or the energy required to power about 114 average homes.
- Furniture industry services firm Wright of Thomasville is nearing the completion of a new solar installation to its company headquarters, according to the Business Journal. The installation will include 364 solar panels generating 83.72 kilowatts of electricity.
- Progress Energy and Duke Energy say a Chevy Volt or home charger were not to blame for an Iredell County house fire. Garland Cloer, Iredell County's chief deputy fire marshal, said it appears the fire did not start in the electric car. He wouldn't say more about the fire's origin, because investigators for several agencies and manufacturers are still examining the debris.
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Wilmington was one of two cities to receive the Susan M. Burgess Sustainability Award by the N.C. League of Municipalities. The city was recognized for numerous sustainability initiatives including fuel efficiency and energy efficiency projects.
- The Cherokee Preservation Foundation is having 14 solar panels installed on the back of its building. FLS Energy, a solar energy systems installer based in Asheville, will install the panels.
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The North Carolina Zoo received the Governor’s Award for Excellence for innovations in environmental stewardship including the establishment of an energy management system, a picnic pavilion mounted with solar panels that produce 135,000 kwh of electricity each year.
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