Carolina CAT in final stages of Shelby, N.C., solar farm

Carolina CAT Power Systems, a provider of service, parts and sales of power generation equipment, is completing the final stages of construction for a new 10-acre solar farm in Shelby, N.C. Scheduled to open in late June 2015, the site will contain 9,828 panels and produce 3 MW DC of electricity, enough to power approximately 250 homes, which will be procured by Duke Energy and added back to the North Carolina power grid.

Carolina CAT Power Systems worked closely with local and national organizations to make this green energy initiative happen. Since project inception, Syncarpha Capital has supported Carolina CAT Power Systems across the project lifecycle, from acquisition, to financing and development, to commercialization.

Yingli Solar provided the solar panels, WB Moore built the electrical systems and Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. supported with contracting services. Carolina CAT Rental Store supported the project by providing Caterpillar construction equipment to grade and prepare the land for installation. The group worked with Shelby-based Dicey Mills to get trees cleared, thus reducing shade on the panels and ensuring higher site production. The North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources as well as the City of Shelby helped with planning, permitting and zoning. Power Products & Solutions will manage the system maintenance. Syncarpha will operate and provide asset management services for the life of the project.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the renewable energy movement, especially when it’s in our own backyard,” said Edward Weisiger, Jr., CEO of Carolina CAT Power Systems, a CTE company. “We’ve had the privilege of serving the equipment needs of the Carolinas for over 85 years, and this project marks our continued service in the construction, utility and road building industries. Shelby and Cleveland County have been a key part of our success over the years and we are very pleased to be invested there.”

This project is reflective of the current solar farm boom in North Carolina. The state ranks third in the nation with respect to the amount of solar power on the state’s grid. This is due in part to a state law mandating that, by the year 2020, one eighth of all power produced by Duke Energy must come from renewable energy.

“We are proud to be part of this green initiative – by using renewable energy, reducing waste and preserving our natural resources, we are helping to protect our planet, now and for generations to come. Being good stewards of the beautiful planet on which we all live and work is crucial,” said Mike Brown, Carolina CAT Power Systems General Manager.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://solarbuildermag.com/news/carolina-cat-solar-farm/]