National Renewable Energy Corporation (NARENCO), based in Charlotte, has completed a 740 kilowatt DC solar PV (photovoltaic) energy system on the roof of the York Chester Plaza building in Gastonia. To showcase the newest and one of the largest PV systems in Gaston County, NARENCO will host a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
This renewable energy system, which was energized on Dec. 28, 2011, utilizes more than 3,000 solar panels and is expected to generate approximately 955,657 kilowatt hours of energy per year. The energy produced will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 720 tons annually which is equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions from the use of 80,724 gallons of gasoline.
NARENCO will lease the roof space through a long-term lease agreement with Gaston County. Under the terms of the lease agreement, NARENCO will own and operate the array and sell the power generated from the system to Duke Energy while the Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) will be sold to Energy United of Statesville, North Carolina. No County capital investment was required for this project.
