Company adding 160 megawatts of solar power in North Carolina this year --- Its 80-MW Conetoe site is the largest solar power project under construction east of the Mississippi --- In total, Duke Energy Renewables has invested more than $500 million in 22 North Carolina solar energy projects since 2010

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 9, 2015

-- Duke Energy Renewables today announced it has completed four solar power projects in Eastern North Carolina, adding 30 megawatts (MW) of solar in the state.

The projects are located in the towns of Creswell, Everetts, Battleboro and Sunbury.

Duke Energy Renewables has an additional 132 MW of solar energy under construction that is expected to be complete by year end. Phase II of the DC institutions' solar project underway in Kelford and Whitakers will add 32 MW.

And, work has begun on Duke Energy Renewables' 80-MW site in Conetoe, the largest solar power project under construction east of the Mississippi.

"With these additions to our existing 105 MW portfolio, we are more than doubling our solar capacity in North Carolina," said Greg Wolf, president Commercial Portfolio, Duke Energy. "Providing increasingly clean power is important to our company and customers, and we are pleased to take part in the state's growing solar industry."

The energy generated from the completed Creswell, Everetts, Battleboro and Sunbury solar projects will be sold to Dominion NC Power. The output from Capital Partners Phase II will go to George Washington University, American University and George Washington University Hospital. Conetoe's customer is under negotiation. These facilities will produce enough energy to power about 32,000 average homes.

SunEnergy1 is the developer and builder for the projects.

"We are proud to be continuing our long-term relationship with Duke Energy Renewables," said Kenny Habul, CEO SunEnergy1. "This significant amount of solar installations in small towns has provided a massive boost to the local economies and jobless rates. We applaud Duke Energy Renewables for their investment and their vision for renewable energy."

Shawboro, a 20-MW solar site announced in July, is under construction in Currituck County, bringing the 2015 projects to a total of 160 MW.

With 105 MW of solar projects already in operation in North Carolina and the 160 MW that will be completed this year, Duke Energy Renewables will have a total of 265 MW of solar power in service statewide by year end.