ORANGE COUNTY UNVEILS SOLAR FARM THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH STRATA SOLAR
ORANGE COUNTY, NC (July 16, 2013)—Orange County and Strata Solar are jointly announcing a new solar farm facility that the home-grown company will establish in the County’s White Cross community.
This action follows the Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimous approval in 2012 to grant a special use permit for the facility. The Orange County Economic Development Department and the Orange County Planning & Inspections Department assisted Strata Solar in this project’s site approval.
The 35-acre solar farm, the first of its size in Orange County, will be located on White Cross Road, near the White Cross Community Center. Construction began in early July and will last approximately 12 weeks.
Chief Zoning Manager, Michael Harvey, was instrumental in guiding Strata Solar through the County's land use permitting procedure.
Once completed, this will be a 6-megawatt solar farm, consisting of more than 26,000 solar panels, and capable of powering approximately 750 homes. Additionally, the farm will displace 4,224 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually.
“Strata Solar is making great strides in bringing solar power to Orange County. White Cross Farm is the first of many projects, and we look forward to continuing to bring long term jobs, local investment, and clean energy to the residents of North Carolina,” said John Morrison Strata’s chief operating officer.
“We are very excited about our relationship with Strata Solar,” said Steve Brantley, director of Orange County’s Economic Development Department. “The capital investment in Orange County is significant without any requirement for additional school, sewers, roads, or other County services. Orange County and Strata Solar hold the same values at our core – promoting energy independence, job growth, and growing a clean energy base in the County.”
About Strata Solar
Strata Solar LLC is an integrated solar energy company that owns and operates commercial and utility scale solar energy systems. With over 150 MWs commissioned and a gigawatt under development, Strata is one of the nation’s largest solar integrators. In addition to turnkey services for the complete design, construction and installation of utility and commercial photovoltaic systems, Strata Solar provides a full array of operations and maintenance and asset management services for developers and solar integrators. Headquartered in its LEED Silver certified office in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Strata Solar is pursuing projects across the southeast and California.
