D.C. Universities Strike Deal to Buy Solar from North Carolina

Three Washington, D.C. academic institutions have joined the ever-growing list of businesses going solar.

George Washington University, American University and the George Washington University Hospital will receive up to 52 MW of output from a trio of solar photovoltaic plants in North Carolina, which are being developed and managed by Duke Energy Renewables. The Capital Partners Solar Project includes three separate power purchase agreements (PPA) between Duke and the three academic institutions.

The three entities indicate that purchasing solar PV provides cost savings and emissions reductions while demonstrating environmental responsibilities. For instance, the 20-year agreement provides fixed pricing at a lower total price than current power alternatives. And as the prices of those alternatives likely increase, the savings will be even greater in the future.

“Thanks to this innovative partnership, George Washington University will now derive more than half of its electricity from solar energy,” according to Steve Knapp, university president. “This will greatly accelerate our progress toward the carbon neutrality target we had earlier set for 2025.”

Under the agreement, George Washington University will receive about 86.6 million kW, American University will get 30 million kW and George Washington University Hospital will receive about 6 million kW annually.

The 20-year deal will provide fixed pricing for solar energy for a lower price than the schools pay currently for power, due in part to its large scale. George Washington University spent about $13 million on electricity last year and American University, about $5 million.

Duke Energy Renewables President Greg Wolf said the first of three solar plants needed for the agreement; a 20 MW PV solar project in Pasquotank County, N.C.; will be finished at the end of this year.

The remaining 32 MW will also be built in North Carolina and will be configured to meet the terms of the PPA, Wolf said.

Duke currently owns 170 MW of generating capacity at 21 solar plants, 14 of which are located in North Carolina.

Solar power generated in North Carolina will move to the Washington, D.C. region’s electrical grid for the universities and an equivalent amount of conventional electricity will be withdrawn from that grid.

“There is a significant amount of solar being built in North Carolina, and we’re glad to be part of that,” said Wolf.