North Carolina, the Bookers Mill Solar project represents the strategic integration of clean energy into the state’s diverse power portfolio. By leveraging underutilized land for solar generation, this facility supports both local economic stability and North Carolina’s broader transition away from fossil fuels, showcasing a sustainable model for rural economic development.
Significance & Context
The Bookers Mill Solar project is a 50-megawatt (MW) facility developed by Ecoplexus. The project’s entire electrical output is being sold to Duke Energy Progress under a power purchase agreement, contributing to the utility’s compliance with North Carolina’s landmark House Bill 951, which mandates a 70% reduction in power sector carbon emissions by 2030. The project’s capacity is sufficient to power approximately 10,000 homes and will play a role in diversifying the state’s energy mix, which has historically relied heavily on natural gas and nuclear power.
Development Timeline
Development for Bookers Mill Solar began with land acquisition and preliminary site studies in 2019. The project successfully secured its interconnection agreement, a process tracked through the public records of the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC). After finalizing its power contract and securing the necessary local permits from the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, major construction commenced in early 2023. The project reached commercial operation and began delivering power to the Duke Energy Progress grid in the first quarter of 2024.
Technology & Innovation
The Bookers Mill Solar project utilizes a fixed-tilt mounting system, a cost-effective and reliable solution for the region. A key feature of its design is a dedicated focus on low-impact development and habitat creation. The project has implemented a pollinator-friendly plan across the site, establishing native grasses and flowering plants beneath the solar arrays. This approach, supported by guidelines from the North Carolina State University Extension, promotes local biodiversity, improves soil health, and can benefit the yields of adjacent agricultural lands.
Challenges & Controversies
A significant challenge during the development phase was addressing concerns from some local residents regarding the project’s visual impact and its effect on the county’s rural character. To secure the necessary conditional use permit from the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, the developers engaged in a proactive public outreach campaign. This included hosting community meetings and agreeing to enhanced vegetative buffering around the project’s perimeter to screen the view from nearby roads and properties, a compromise that helped build local acceptance.
Community & Economic Impact
The project provides a direct and sustained economic benefit to Richmond County. During the peak construction phase, Bookers Mill Solar typically employed over 100 workers, providing a temporary boost to local businesses. Over its 30-year operational life, the project is projected to generate millions of dollars in new property tax revenue. This revenue will likely contribute significantly to the county’s budget, providing enhanced funding for public schools, emergency services, and infrastructure without raising taxes for residents. For the landowners hosting the arrays, the long-term lease payments offer a stable and drought-resistant source of income.
Future Outlook
Now fully operational, the Bookers Mill Solar project is a long-term asset that will provide clean power for decades. Its successful integration demonstrates the viability of similar-scale solar development in the region. The project’s infrastructure also allows for potential future co-location with battery storage. As analyzed by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the pairing of solar with storage is a key trend for enhancing grid reliability, and adding batteries could allow Bookers Mill to supply power during evening peak hours, further increasing its value to the grid and solidifying its role in North Carolina’s energy future.
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