There are two ways we use solar:
Customer-sited solar
Utility-scale Solar
Customer-sited solar, which includes residential and community solar energy, includes technologies and services that convert sunlight directly into electricity through photovoltaic cells with a total generating capacity of less than 2 megawatts. This sector also includes solar thermal technologies that harness sunlight to meet thermal requirements for water or heating and cooling or create heat energy used to generate electricity for residential purposes. Customer-sited solar can be owned directly or purchased in part through a community resource or third party.
Utility-scale solar includes technologies and services that convert sunlight directly into electricity through photovoltaic cells for a total generating capacity of more than 2 megawatts. This sector also includes solar thermal technologies that harness sunlight to meet thermal requirements for water or heating and cooling or create heat energy used to generate electricity for commercial or industrial purposes.
Solar can be captured through panels in the following ways:
Solar Thermal Panels
Solar thermal systems use heat from sunlight for heating water used in buildings.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Solar panels use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity through a chemical reaction.
JOBS IN NC
FIRMS IN NC
REVENUE IN NC
Source: 2018 North Carolina Clean Energy Industry Census
Other Resources
Websites
- Homeowners Buying Not Leasing Panels
- Utility Scale Solar Pricing Trends
- NCSU Coop Extension: Evaluating Conservation Easements, Solar Leases, and Land Lease Proposals
- NCSU Coop Extension: Landowner Solar Leasing: Contract Terms Explained
- NCSU Coop Extension: Solar and Wind Energy Development Opportunities: Tax Implications
- NCSU Coop Extension: Solar Generation Property Taxation
- NCSU Coop Extension: Threshold Issues for Landowner Solar Leasing
- NCSU: Solar Panel Materials, End of Life, and Regulation
- NCSU: What is Solar Energy?