U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development North Carolina State Director Reginald Speight recently announced that USDA is funding 16 projects to expand access to clean energy systems in North Carolina. 

USDA is providing nearly $11.3 million through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The projects will create new market opportunities and jobs for American small businesses, farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and agricultural producers in the Tar Heel State. 

Clean Energy Projects within GFBJ’s coverage area that are receiving funding include the following:

• In Bladen County, Sand Castle Solar will use $3.2 million in USDA REAP loans and grants to purchase and install a 4 megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 6.6 million kilowatt hours in year one, which is enough electricity to power 555 homes.
• In Bladen County, Indigo Solar will use $2.3 million in USDA REAP loans and grants to purchase and install a 2.6-megawatt solar system. The system is estimated to produce 4.6 million kilowatt hours a year, which is enough electricity to power 385 homes.
• In Harnett County, Lifelink Medical Group PLLC will use a $39 thousand USDA REAP grant to purchase and install a 36.5-kilowatt solar array. The system will produce 47 thousand kilowatt hours per year.
• In Moore County, Shannon Allison DDS PA will use a $50 thousand USDA REAP grant to purchase and install a 20.94-kilowatt solar array with battery storage. The system will produce 21 thousand kilowatt hours per year. This project will save enough electricity to power two homes.
• In Robeson County, Henry Locklear & Sons Farms Inc. will use a $79 thousand USDA REAP grant to make energy efficiency improvements with the purchase and installation of a grain dryer. Henry Locklear & Sons Farms Inc. is a family-owned farming corporation that grows corn and soybeans in Maxton, North Carolina. This project will realize $11,409 per year in savings and will replace five thousand kilowatt hours and 10 thousand gallons of propane per year, which is enough energy to power five homes.
• In Robeson County, T & H Farms LLC will use a $892 thousand USDA REAP grant to purchase and install an 889-kilowatt solar array. The system will generate 1.7 million kilowatt hours per year. This project will save enough electricity to power 108 homes.