10-06-08 Duke Energy said it plans to spend $ 100 mm to install solar panels at up to 850 homes, schools, stores and factories in North Carolina.
The plan, which requires approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission, will help Duke meet the state's requirement that 12.5 % of its power come from renewables or energy efficiency projects by 2021. By 2010, 0.02 % of Duke's energy sold to customers must come from solar.

If approved, Duke would spend two years installing 20 MW of solar panels. The project would help power more than 2,600 homes, the company said.
Duke's Carolinas utility would own and operate the solar equipment. The company plans to recover its $ 100 mm investment through North Carolina's cost recovery program for renewable energy projects.