DUPLIN COUNTY -- Duplin County is home to the largest solar farm in Duke Energy Progress territory. The new 550-acre facility is located just outside the town of Warsaw and is the second largest solar panel project in the state. The solar farm could power up to 13,000 homes.
"I've had several folks to comment on it as they pass through, 'Oh yeah you see a lot of solar in Dupin County, why is that?' I don't really know an answer for that other than there is a lot of land for that purpose," said Duplin Co. Manager Mike Aldridge.
Duke Energy Progress is putting Duplin Co. back on the map.
"A lot of people still have the property that their family farmed 50 years ago, but the family still owns the property, so they're looking for an opportunity for them to do something different with it that they can still hold on to the property for their next generations. But they can also maximize the yield of what it brings in economically," said Aldridge.
Duplin County officials and community members gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the 65 megawatt solar facility complete with 850,000 solar panels, all of them bringing clean energy to homes and businesses throughout eastern North Carolina.
"Last year North Carolina was second in the country in installed solar capacity which brings North Carolina to fourth in the country overall in the amount of solar generation that is provided. So that's something that we're very proud to have played a leading role in," said Duke Energy NC State President David Fountain.
Aldridge says the Warsaw Solar Facility brings long-term economic stability to Duplin County.
"This is going to be here for a life span of at least 25 years. The value is here for the long haul. The county will reap the rewards from that from here on in terms of value, taxable value," said Aldridge.
About 100 Marines helped build the solar farm.