Construction has begun on a 500 kW solar energy system at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, according to Solar Industry Magazine.

According to the companies, the rooftop system will be the city's largest urban solar energy system. When it is completed in April, 2,080 photovoltaic panels covering approximately 60% of the convention center's roof will produce an estimated 725,000 kWh of electricity.

FLS Energy and PowerWorks will finance, engineer, build, own and operate the solar system. Progress Energy will buy the electricity generated by the array through its SunSense Commercial Solar PV program and use it to serve its customers. PowerWorks and FLS Energy are leasing the convention center rooftop space from the city to operate the solar array.