Led by Apple, NC lands $43M of $56M in federal solar loan guarantees

North Carolina solar energy projects have landed the vast majority of new solar project loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Leading the way is a project at Apple’s big data center in western N.C.

Of nearly $50 million awarded, $43 million is coming to North Carolina.

The loan guarantees were announced on Friday.

Apple secured the largest loan guarantee of $4.27 million for its Apple One project.

The tech giant has declared its intention to provide as much renewable energy as possible to power its growing data center complex.

A year ago, the federal government agreed to pump $55 million into 39 North Carolina-based projects.

The Solar Energy Industries Association says North Carolina has more solar capacity than all other Southeast states combined and ranks fourth in the country. A state law requires Duke Energy to get 6 percent of electricity it sells this year from renewable energy.

The N.C.-funded solar projects include:

  • Andrew Solar, $4.18 million
  • Angel Solar, $4 million
  • Apple One, $4.27 million
  • BG Stewart Solar Farm, $3.83 million
  • Elliana Solar, $3.84 million
  • Germantown Solar, $1 million
  • Innovative Solar 6, $2.9 million
  • Kirkwall Holdings, $4.19 million
  • Millikan Farm, $3.98 million
  • Sonne One, $4 million
  • South Winston Farm, $4 million
  • Sunfish Farm, $4.24 million

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)