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Southern Current Expands Facilities in Darlington County, South Carolina

Similar 2MW solar farm project in Pamplico, Florence county

From Area Development News Desk
7/17/2019

Southern Current, a leading developer in the residential, commercial and utility-scale solar markets, is expanding its solar farm portfolio with new facilities in Darlington County, South Carolina. The company is investing in a total of six individual projects within Darlington County, bringing a collective capital investment of more than $141 million.

“Southern Current is excited to announce our next round of investments in Darlington County. We could not have done this without the help of the economic development team and the county’s leadership. South Carolina is quickly becoming a leader in renewable energy thanks to the commitment of counties like Darlington,” said Southern Current Chief Development Officer Paul Fleury.

“This latest announcement of new projects by Southern Current further proves the future is bright for solar projects throughout the state. Congratulations to Southern Current. We look forward to watching this company continue to grow and thrive in Darlington County,” said Governor Henry McMaster.

“This investment by Southern Current will further strengthen South Carolina’s growing reputation in the area of renewable energy. Providing both environmental and economic impacts, we look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“Southern Current’s second substantial investment in solar power in Darlington County is proof-positive that Darlington County is welcoming to clean energy growth. This expansion will be a win-win for the county and for the company, and is good for the local economy,” said Darlington County Council Chairman Bobby Hudson.

“It is wonderful to see Southern Current announce their second major investment in Darlington County and their third in the NESA region in the past two years. Renewal energy continues to be a great investment in the region and Darlington County leads the way in recognizing the benefits these projects can have on their communities,” said NESA Executive Committee Chairman Yancey McGill.

Anderson County

New Solar Farms Coming To Anderson County

On Tuesday night the Anderson County Council gave preliminary approval on the construction of two new solar farms to be built in the northern part of the county.

Southern Current, a Charleston-based solar company, plans to lease land from two private landowners for the farms. One is 30 acres near Piedmont, for a $7.6 million solar farm, the other is about 30 acres on Durham Road near the unincorporated Powdersville community, for a $2.8 million, 2-megawatt farm.

Along with four smaller farms in the planning stages, these six six farms will eventually provide significant tax income for the county. The properties, involving 136 acres ranging from 10 to 30 acres, are expected to bring in $77,306 for the county.

“The solar farms provide increased revenue to the county, involve the preservation of green space, and in some cases enable families to keep and use land that has long been in the family.” – Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns

Nationwide, solar farms are replacing cropland that doesn’t generate enough income from traditional farming. Landowners can earn $400-600 per acre per year by leasing the land to a solar company, according to Southern Current’s Bret Sowers.

Related Reading: The BIGGEST Solar Farms In South Carolina

Read the original article on the Independent Mail (https://www.independentmail.com/story/news/local/2018/05/18/how-anderson-benefit-solar-farms/614967002/)

About Southern Current

Producing your own energy with solar offers a lifetime of rewards including lower power bills, higher property value, and numerous environmental benefits. Southern Current is proud to be one of South Carolina’s leading solar installers, with residentialcommercial, and utility-scale solar services available across the Southeast. Contact Us to find out how much you could be saving with a solar project at your location!

South Carolina Solar Farms

A new cash crop is growing in South Carolina! In addition to rooftops across the state being covered with solar panels, landowners are designating portions of their properties to be blanketed with solar on the ground.

Request a FREE analysis of how much money you could save with solar power at your location!

Here are some of the BIGGEST solar farms in South Carolina

Credit: Commercial Property Executive

Solvay Energy Center

Jasper County, South Carolina

71.4 MW

Announced in April 2017, the Solvay Energy Center is a nearly 900-acre solar farm located in Jasper County. Expected to be completed before the end of 2017, this 71.4 MW project is scheduled to generate clean, renewable energy under a lease agreement with Dominion.

 

Credit: Jeremy Anderson/YouTube

Lexington County Solar Farm Project

3 Locations in Lexington County, South Carolina

30 MW Total

Southern Current developed these projects jointly with Cypress Creek Renewables providing services to identify, acquire, permit, and coordinate the completion of 3 solar farm projects located in Lexington County, each totaling approximately 10 MW in size. Located off Old Charleston Road in Pelion, the $30 million project provides energy to 6,000 customers.

 

Saluda Solar Farm

Saluda County, South Carolina

6.8 MW

Saluda is the largest solar farm in South Carolina on SCE&G’s power grid. Owned by Cypress Creek Renewables and co-developed by Southern Current in Charleston, the 6.8-megawatt Saluda Solar Farm uses 31,000 solar panels and can produce enough energy for 1,400 homes.

Other Notable Solar Farms In South Carolina

Currently under development, Southern Current is working on over 60 MWac worth of solar farms throughout the state!

20 MWac Cameron Solar II in Cameron, South Carolina

20 MWac Estill Solar II in Estill, South Carolina

20 MWac Hampton Solar II in Hampton, South Carolina

 

Furman University Solar Farm

743 kW

Greenville County, South Carolina

Nearly 3,000 solar panels make up the largest solar farm installation on a college campus in South Carolina. Furman University had the project installed in May 2017 to help them reduce power costs as part of their pledge to be carbon neutral. The system can produce as much as 15% of the college’s electricity requirements, according to university spokesman Jeff Redderson, and is expected to pay for itself in energy savings in 8 years.

 

Credit: South Carolina Solar Council

Jerry Zucker Solar Park

North Charleston, South Carolina

500 kW

SCE&G unveiled the first utility-scale solar facility under South Carolina’s Distributed Energy Resource Program Act in a ribbon-cutting ceremony January 21, 2016. The project uses over 2,000 solar modules and will generate over 945 megawatt hours of clean energy each year.

 

Credit: Gregory Electric

Colleton Solar Farm

3 MW

Walterboro, South Carolina

Spanning over 14 acres with more than 10,000 solar panels, the 3 MW Colleton Solar Farm was one of the earliest solar farms installed in South Carolina. Completed back in 2014, it was at the time the largest solar farm in the state. Since then, thanks to decreasing material costs and rising power costs, sizes of installed solar farms have risen tremendously, now commonly exceeding 20 MW (as indicated in the above examples).

Learn More About Solar Power In South Carolina

Southern Current is proud to be one of the top solar installers in the Southeast, with specialties in Utility-Scale Solar as well as Commercial and Residential. View the Southern Current Solar Panel Installation Portfolio to see projects we’ve completed in your area, or Contact Us to request information about a solar panel installation for your home, business, or property and see how much money you can save with solar.

South Carolina Solar Energy News – August Edition

The following article contains important news about solar & renewable energy in South Carolina from the month of August. Contact the Southeast’s leading solar company Southern Current to learn about saving money by powering your home or business with clean, unlimited solar energy.

August News About Solar Energy In South Carolina

Solar Power World: Southern Current Ranks 179 Out Of 500 Top Solar Companies

Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors List was released at the end of July, ranking the top solar companies in America based on total installed solar power capacity. Southern Current ranks 179 based on 5.84 megawatts of installed solar through the end of 2016. With numerous utility scale solar farms under development in 2017, and even more residential solar installs, next year’s list could see Southern Current break into the top 100.

Solar Industry Magazine: In Wake Of Nuclear Debacle, SC Voters Want More Solar

 

Solar energy has emerged as a clear favorite for future electricity generation in the minds of South Carolina voters. As the state grapples with a highly publicized debacle after two South Carolina utilities abandoned a nuclear power plant project, a new poll has found residents overwhelmingly support solar as the power generation of choice, likely due to the environmental benefits of solar.

WIS TV: 7-Acre Solar Project Inaugurated In Aiken County

During the second week of August, South Carolina state officials and Governor McMaster met in Aiken County to inaugurate a new solar project in Graniteville. The 7-acre solar farm cost $2 million dollars to create, but can generate up to $30,000 dollars in monthly revenue. With an average solar panel lifespan of 25 years, this project will pay for itself time and again for Aiken County!

The Post and Courier: South Carolina Mayors Working To Address Climate Change

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, Greenville Mayor Knox White, Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts, and Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg met in August to discuss a plan of attack for preparing their cities for climate change effects like rising tides, flooding, and drainage issues. Benjamin has announced plans to transition Columbia to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, encouraging others to adopt similar plans.

Save Money With Solar Energy In South Carolina

Southern Current is proud to be one of the top solar installers in the Southeast. Thanks to the numerous South Carolina solar rebates & incentives that are currently available, there’s never been a more affordable time to create your own energy! View the Southern Current Solar Panel Installation Portfolio to see projects we’ve completed in your area, or Contact Us to request information about a solar panel installation for your home or business and see how much you can save with solar.

South Carolina Solar Energy News – June Edition

The following article contains important news about solar & renewable energy in South Carolina from the month of June. Contact the Southeast’s leading solar company Southern Current to learn about saving money by powering your home or business with clean, unlimited solar energy.

June News About Solar Energy In South Carolina

The Times and Democrat: Southern Current Launching New Solar Farm

Southern Current is launching a new $2.5 million dollar solar farm in Hampton County, South Carolina. In a press release, Governor Henry McMaster said, “When a company invests in one of our rural counties, it’s investing in the future of a community with tremendous potential, and that’s why we are so grateful for Southern Current’s decision to locate in Hampton County.”

Solar Industry Mag: Large Solar Project Goes Online At South Carolina Airport

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is now generating power onsite thanks to 4,000+ solar panels that were installed in June. The 1.38 megawatt (MW) project was constructed on five acres of land between two of the airport’s active runways. The solar install is part of the airport’s effort to adopt environmentally friendly programs while meeting its obligation to run as economically as possible by lowering energy costs.

The Post and Courier: Tesla-owned SolarCity Leaves South Carolina Months After Entering

SolarCity, the clean-energy subsidiary of Tesla Inc., announced in June it is closing offices in the Lowcountry less than a year after it opened in the state. The move comes at a moment when the solar industry is gaining traction in South Carolina, driven by giant industrial-scale installations and complemented by an expanding market for residential solar power.

Live 5 News: SCE&G Rolls Out New Community Solar Program

Click the link above to watch as Live 5 News reports from the Jerry Zucker Solar Park, discussing a new community solar option for people who rent or cannot go solar on their properties. “If you don’t live in a home suitable for solar or you live in an apartment, this is a great opportunity for you to get access to the benefits of solar,” said Bret Sowers, a member of Southern Current and chairman of the South Carolina Solar Business Alliance.

Save Money With Solar Energy In South Carolina

Southern Current is proud to be one of the top solar installers in the Southeast. Thanks to the numerous South Carolina solar rebates & incentives that are currently available, there’s never been a more affordable time to create your own energy! View the Southern Current Solar Panel Installation Portfolio to see projects we’ve completed in your area, or Contact Us to request information about a solar panel installation for your home or business and see how much you can save with solar.