Government Energy Policy, Business and Technology

North Carolina bill promises short-term jolt to solar, but critics worry about long term

Southeast Energy News: A bill breezing through the North Carolina legislature promises to end a high-profile standoff between the solar industry and Duke Energy, and triple the state’s capacity over the next four years.

But critics say the measure, sponsored by Reps. John Szoka (R-Cumberland) and Dean Arp (R- Union), gives Duke too much control over solar, and too little certainty that renewable energy will flourish after an initial jolt of almost 7 GW – enough to power about 750,000 homes.

The result of months of negotiations facilitated by GOP House Speaker Tim Moore, the wide-ranging House Bill 589 cleared the House easily last week – buoyed by the endorsements of Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, the state’s Chamber of Commerce, solar developers and others.

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