North Carolina’s economy continues to recover from the recession with our unemployment rate above the national rate. However, the good news is that several sectors, including clean energy, are hiring employees, expanding their businesses, and pumping millions into local economies in every region of our state.  These and other important economic findings are detailed in the newly released 2012 North Carolina Clean Energy Industries Census.  Retaining and creating jobs and fostering new economic development opportunities must continue to be a top priority for all North Carolinians, especially businesses and policymakers – and the clean energy sector holds great promise and opportunities if we maintain a balance of pro-business policies and regulations.

Click here to download the 2012 NC Clean Energy Industries Census.

By Jim Kennerly, Policy and Regulatory Analyst

As the Duke-Progress merger progresses, one of NCSEA’s top priorities is to ensure that Duke Energy  and Progress Energy continue to offer successful, customer-focused programs encouraging renewable energy and energy efficiency. To enhance transparency and provide greater certainty, NCSEA and the City of Raleigh have proposed convening a working group comprised of the utilities, local government decision-makers, clean energy service providers and energy advocates in order to allow all parties to exchange ideas and stay informed of the combined company’s plans to continue offering affordable clean energy options.

Without more information about the future of successful utility initiatives such as Progress Energy’s SunSense program, it will be very challenging for many local governments such as the City of Raleigh to undertake cost-effective sustainability initiatives that reduce waste, encourage clean energy and improve quality of life. In a letter NCSEA filed at the North Carolina Utilities Commission on behalf of the City of Raleigh, Mayor Nancy McFarlane asserts that “greater visibility as to the companies’ plans for integration of these programs and practices will better enable the City of Raleigh to carry out its mission, to the benefit of our 416,000 citizens.”

To see NCSEA’s filing at the Commission and Mayor McFarlane’s letter to the North Carolina Utilities Commission, click here.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through its Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, has issued a Multiple-Award Task Order (MATOC) Request for Proposal (RFP) for $7 billion in total contract capacity to procure reliable, locally generated, renewable and alternative energy through power purchase agreements.  The $7 billion capacity would be expended for the purchase of energy over a period of 30 years or less from renewable energy plants that are constructed and operated by contractors using private sector financing.  

NCSEA's Miriam Makhyoun and Randy Lucas will present at the World Renewable Energy Forum on May 16, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.

Lucas is a CPA and the Principal Consultant of Lucas Tax + Energy Consulting in Charlotte, NC. He also serves as on the NCSEA Board of Directors. Miriam serves as the Solar and Renewable Energy Industry Specialist for NCSEA. They will discuss the "Evaluation of Incentives for Renewable Energy in Today's Market".  

The World Renewable Energy Forum 2012 includes over 200 sessions including presentations of technical papers, forum sessions and panel discussions. 

Lime Energy Co. has made a sponsorship agreement with Uncharted Play, the creators of sOccketTM, a portable source of clean, renewable energy designed to help families in need.


The sOccket is a durable soccer ball that harnesses the kinetic energy of the ball during normal game play and stores it for later power needs. After just 30 minutes of play, small electrical appliances, like an LED lamp, can be plugged into the sOccket for 3 hours of electricity. “Lime’s purpose is to build a clean energy future and this sponsorship aligns to our values as a company,” said John O’Rourke, Lime President and CEO. “The creators of sOccket have developed a renewable resource that taps into the global passion for the game of soccer and creates a lasting solution to the growing energy crisis.”

North Carolina churches are benefiting from sustainable practices. Earlier this month, more than 50 clergy, laity and community members gathered at United Church of Chapel Hill for the first Transition Congregation workshop in the nation.

The workshop is part of a larger, global initiative known as the Transition Town movement that aims to reduce local communities' dependency on oil and builds sustainability in the community.

The United Church of Chapel Hill and North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light, a North Carolina Council of Churches' program that promotes renewable energy alternatives, co-sponsored the workshop.

Furthermore, several churches across the state have gone solar including the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Asheville, Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, Temple Emmanuel in Greensboro, and the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

UNC-TV's program "NC Now" highlighted three clean energy Hertford County businesses that are dedicated to improving the economy and ecology of North Carolina. The episode, which orginally aired on Oct. 31, 2011, features Wellons Energy Solutions, a project developer for biomass cogeneration facilities; SunPower, a provider of solar solutions; and Enviva LP, a manufacturer of processed biomass fuel.

The segment was part of the North Carolina Rising project which identifies and highlights the success stories of North Carolina's rural areas that once thrived on crops such as tobacco but are now transitioning into a new global economy. In August 2010 UNC-TV began a weekly series of reports on North Carolina Now, UNC-TV's flagship public affairs series. The reports feature unique economic development projects happening across the state and seek to raise awareness of effective revitalization efforts so that they might be replicated in other areas of the state and beyond.

Have you always wanted a first-hand look at an electric vehicle? Or maybe you just have to see one again?

Come to NCSEA's Making Energy Work Nov. 9 conference at the Raleigh Convention Center where you can become part of "The Electric Vehicle Experience." EVXP of Raleigh plans to showcase one of its electric vehicles at the day-long event.

The company rents "the world's most advanced electric cars to raise the green bar for luxury and entertainment in the Triangle." By attending the conference, you'll have the chance to learn more about the Tesla Roadster, a mid-engine, rear wheel drive, two passenger, two door, carbon fiber body automobile powered by 6,831 individual lithium ion batteries generating 375 volts. The ride takes you from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

North Carolina is leading the Southeast in the emerging clean energy economy. Below is a small sampling of what's happening across our state. Click below on each link to learn more about these recent innovations, announcements and advancements.  (And, remember to forward your announcements to amneris@energync.org if you would like your information posted on NCSEA's website and included in our eNews.)

North Carolina’s fourth annual sales tax holiday on Energy Star products runs Friday, Nov. 4, through Sunday, Nov.6. During those days, certain Energy Star-qualifiedproducts that meet energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and the Department of Energy are exempt from sales and use taxes.  

The Biltmore Estate announced plans to install 5,000 solar panels on six acres. The project will be completed over two months at a cost of $5.2 million.  It will be one of the largest solar arrays in North Carolina.

Gov. Bev Perdue recognized Appalachian State University students and faculty for their participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2011 international competition. Perdue signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 28-Nov. 4 as Appalachian State University Solar Homestead Week.