Now that SunEdison LLC has announced that it will build a major solar-energy farm in Davidson County, the county should carefully monitor the farm's progress to ensure that it's living up to its approximately $2 million in incentives. If the farm succeeds, it could be an economic boon to the county and help usher in a new and needed phase of energy production for the state. And it's a nice complement to other solar-energy efforts in the county.
The $173-million farm, which will use a series of flat panels to catch the sun's rays and generate electricity, could become the largest of its type in the country. The farm will also be in keeping with the state's push toward cleaner, renewable energy. And it's already got plenty of business: Duke Energy Carolinas has announced that it will buy the entire electricity output of the farm.
That's good for the state and good for Davidson. As the chairman of the county commissioners, Larry Potts, said recently, the solar farm will help the country recruit other industry. "I think SunEdison is one of the major building blocks to bring it all together," he told the Journal's Michael Hewlett.
SunEdison, based in Maryland, is the largest solar-energy company in North America. And SunEdison won't be the only solar project in Davidson. A solar water-heating system is planned for Lexington Senior Services, and a similar system at the West Davidson Library is already saving money in utility costs.
There's certainly reason to celebrate in Davidson.
But county commissioners must keep a watchful eye on the SunEdison project. They have to make sure that it's meeting all expectations as they dole out that precious incentive money.
And citizens should insist that the commissioners keep this project involving public dollars transparent. It's not off to the best start in that regard. There has been a delay in identifying the three sites SunEdison is considering in the county. The first site that was identified is near the proposed 2,400-acre "megasite" that economic-development officials have been trying to put together off Interstate 85 near Lexington.
And the commissioners should press the state hard to help with the approximately $2 million in incentives. Although the farm will be a welcome addition to the county tax rolls and produce up to 80 construction jobs, it is set to provide only three full-time jobs.
The state kicks in on other incentives deals scattered about North Carolina. And this one in Davidson is exactly what the legislature has been pushing to move North Carolina into the 21st century.
Whether the state helps or not, this is a big win for Davidson. It's been among the counties in the state hit hardest by factory shutdowns. The county has been working hard to land new companies, and has made progress. Now, it's also leading the way in solar energy.
The county turns a major corner by landing SunEdison.
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