Sun Edison, LLC has signed a contract with Duke Energy to sell electricity from what is currently the largest solar farm in the United States.  Read the stories below to learn more:


Winston-Salem Journal: http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/may/15/bright-future-new-nc-utilities-law-generates-propo/

"LEXINGTON -- A proposed 21.5 megawatt solar farm in Davidson County would probably be "the largest in the United States" of its type, said Monique Harris, a spokeswoman for the Solar Energy Industries Association. And such a project wouldn't even be considered in North Carolina without a landmark state energy law passed last year, state legislators and energy experts said yesterday. If SunEdison LLC, of Maryland, decides to build in Davidson County, its solar farm would represent a significant step in North Carolina's continuing efforts to develop an energy policy that relies less on coal and nuclear plants and more on clean, renewable energy."

Triangle Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/05/19/daily24.html

"Duke Energy's Carolinas subsidiary has agreed to buy more than 16 megawatts of electricity produced by a solar farm that's under construction in Davidson County. No financial details have been released. The 20-year contract will help Charlotte-based Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) meet the requirements of state legislation passed last year that mandates the use of renewable power sources starting in 2010."

Reuters News Wire: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS173095+21-May-2008+PRN20080521

"Duke Energy Carolinas today announced it will purchase the entire electricity output of the nation's largest photovoltaic solar farm to be built in Davidson County, N.C., north of Charlotte."

RenewableEnergyWorld.com: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52550

"Duke Energy Carolinas announced it will purchase the entire electricity output from one of the nation's largest photovoltaic solar farms to be built in Davidson County, North Carolina. Under agreements signed with SunEdison, customers of Duke Energy Carolinas are expected to receive more than 16 megawatts (MW) of power from the solar farm beginning no later than Dec. 31, 2010. The agreements run for 20 years. The SunEdison agreements are a result of a request for proposals (RFP) that Duke Energy issued in April 2007. It was the first RFP of its kind in North Carolina and was specifically designed for potential renewable providers."

The Raleigh electric utility is seeking a 6 percent rate increase in South Carolina to cover rising fuel costs and is expected to make a similar request in this state in June."

Electric company giants Progress Energy and Duke Energy already have proposed plans to the state Utilities Commission that would allow them to charge customers higher rates (although not necessarily send them higher bills) if they take steps such as turning out lights and dropping the thermostat a few degrees in the winter. For North Carolina ratepayers, these plans are counterintuitive and belong under the heading of no good deed going unpunished. Regulators shouldn't approve them without thoroughly considering the implications."