Duke Energy of North Carolina is a diversified electric company that that still relies on fossil fuel operations, but the industry giant is also embracing sustainable energy (perhaps egged on by another sustainability-minded utility operating in the Southeast, Progress Energy). Duke is into wind power in Wyoming, and last year the company announced that it will build between 100 and 400 mini solar power plants throughout North Carolina over the next two years.
Duke launched the program last October with four installations, and this week they announced plans for ten new solar power installations at schools, government facilities, and private businesses. Among the advantages Duke sees in distributed solar is the idea that people can see the installations during the course of their day, and familiarity will foster a better understanding of solar energy’s potential for growth. Now, if only Duke could do something about that pesky U.S. Chamber of Commerce…