Principal Solar Inc. (PSI), a solar power company that is creating a utility-scale operation, plans to build a 72.9 MW AC solar facility in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The new construction, which will represent total investment of approximately US$154 million, is the second major project announced in 2015. It is scheduled to be operational in early 2016 and Duke Energy Progress has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to buy energy from the project.
On February 4, 2015, PSI announced plans to build a 78.5 MW AC facility in Cumberland County, NC. This facility will be the largest solar project east of the Rockies, and combined capacity of the two facilities will be 151.4 MW AC, enough to power an estimated 14,400 homes in North Carolina.
“Both of these projects have stable sources of revenue and demonstrate the growing importance of solar power to the U.S. energy industry,” said Michael Gorton, Chairman and CEO of PSI. “Principal Solar is poised for further growth in 2015. We have under evaluation a pipeline of viable, well-developed solar projects, and have a clear pathway to profitability. We look forward to keeping the market updated about our progress.”
The Principal Solar team has more than 200 years of cumulative energy experience with leading utilities such as TXU Energy. Chief Executive Michael Gorton has significant energy industry expertise, and has founded successful businesses in healthcare, IT and telecommunications.
PSI acquired the right to develop the Fayetteville project from Innovative Solar Systems, LLC of Asheville, NC. The acquisition of the project is expected to close no later than August 30, 2015, with construction to be completed in early 2016.
