Canadian Solar, Strata Solar to develop 15 solar projects in US

Leading solar companies Canadian Solar has invested in and partnered with Strata Solar on a portfolio of 15 utility-scale solar power projects in North Carolina.

Financial details of the deal, however, have not been disclosed.

The 15 projects, which will be developed jointly by the two companies, will have a total capacity of 85MW.

These projects primarily comprise 6MW utility scale solar energy farms in addition to a 1MW rooftop solar system and a 3MW farm.

Construction will take place throughout the year and the entire portfolio is scheduled to complete by December 2013.

In the first year of operation, the suite of solar farms is expected to generate enough energy to remove nearly 17,067 passenger cars from the road.

Initially, the partnership will commission the 6.4MW Fuquay Farm in Middle Creek, located in Wake County’s Willow Springs.

The DC project was initiated in November 2012 and is expected to be commissioned by the end of February 2012.

Once operational, Fuquay Farm is projected to generate sufficient renewable energy to power 750 homes and displace 8.8 million lbs of carbon dioxide a year.

Canadian Solar chairman and CEO Dr Shawn Qu said, "Fuquay Farm is the first of many, and we look forward to working closely with Strata Solar to generate clean energy for the residents of North Carolina."

Strata Solar business development VP Michael Cohen noted that the company is excited about the partnership with Canadian Solar.

"We hold the same values at our core – long term job growth, promoting energy independence, our national security, and growing the clean energy base in America," Cohen said.