EDP Renewables North America LLC (EDPR NA) has completed the Misenheimer Solar Park, the company’s first solar project in North Carolina. Located in the village of Misenheimer, in Stanly County, North Carolina, the solar project is one of the largest in the state, with an installed capacity of 74 MW.
Misenheimer Solar Park, which will be operated by EDPR NA, will generate enough energy annually to power the equivalent of more than 12,000 North Carolina homes while providing economic and environmental benefits to communities near the project and across the state.
Over the lifespan of the solar park, local landowners will be paid more than $27 million for their participation in the project, with an additional estimated $3.5 million to be disbursed to local governments to support schools, roads, public transportation and other community services. Millions of dollars of additional investment are also anticipated to funnel into local Stanly County businesses, bolstering area restaurants, hotels and stores.
Most importantly, Misenheimer will create hundreds of local jobs and long-term employment opportunities, starting with those filled during construction and continuing into operations phase, with several full-time team members being recruited to safely run and perform routine maintenance of the solar park.
Development on Misenheimer was begun by Orion Power Generation LLC — a joint venture between Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC and Eolian — with EDPR NA taking the solar park’s development and construction forward from 2020 onwards.
EDPR NA promptly engaged with the local community, successfully expediting development of the solar park. With Stanly County serving as a regional hub for higher education, Misenheimer collaborated with students at neighboring Pfeiffer University on the project logo, with the student body casting votes to choose the solar park’s official logo. Additionally, the university partnered with EDPR NA to host a Community Open House prior to construction, educating stakeholders throughout the County on the technologies being implemented as well as the local community’s crucial role in the project’s success.
“The fully operational Misenheimer Solar Park is a success that can be attributed to the strong partnership and collaboration between EDPR NA’s team and the communities of the village of Misenheimer and Stanly County who worked together to make this project a reality,” Sandhya Ganapathy, CEO of EDP Renewables North America. “Our mutual dedication and commitment to the community was the primary driver for its success, and we see this as the beginning of a journey, united together, to power North Carolina with affordable clean energy.”
North Carolina marks the 18th U.S. state where EDPR NA operates a utility-scale renewable energy project, with the company currently seeking additional opportunities to bring more renewable energy to the state.
EDPR NA expects to add approximately 5.7 GW of new operational renewable energy capacity to the grid by 2027.
— Solar Builder magazine
[source: https://solarbuildermag.com/projects/edp-renewables-first-solar-park-in-north-carolina/]
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