The North Carolina legislature occasionally shows some sense, mostly in reaction to corporate interests. Sami Grover on Treehugger.com is shocked to discover a bill is in process to boost the solar power industry:
In terms of overall impact, the bill does appear to be pretty wide ranging. It covers everything from permitting solar leases (as long as the lease is not directly tied to how much energy is generated) to allowing, for the first time, participation in “community solar” schemes. And while it reduces the amount that Duke Energy is expected to pay for power to solar farms, it also requires Duke to accept bids from solar farms and offer longer contracts—a move which many solar developers apparently see as a worthy tradeoff.
It’s really quite an encouraging sign, and perhaps not as surprising as it may first seem. North Carolina has actually seen huge growth in the utility-scale solar sector of late, spurred in part by the presence of giant tech companies like Apple (the photo above is of their solar farm in Charlotte [omitted]). Residential solar, however, has lagged somewhat behind, so an overhaul of the state’s legislation may well unlock some pent up demand.
Or it may reflect a dawning realization that the electorate is not so happy with conservative-corporate politics; an upgrade to their reputation as the continuing gerrymandering case goes against them. I suspect competing on a level playing field will turn North Carolina blue, inside and out.
