ENERGYUNITED CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF MCDOWELL CREEK SOLAR FACILITY

STATESVILLE, N.C. — EnergyUnited joined project partners Thursday, September 24, to celebrate the completion of the 2.6-megawatt McDowell Creek Solar Facility in Huntersville, adding another renewable energy resource to the cooperative’s portfolio.

The celebration brought together representatives from Charlotte Water, EnerWealth, hep solar and EnergyUnited for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the facility’s completion. EnergyUnited serves as the project’s electric utility partner and power purchaser; Charlotte Water hosts the solar facility at the McDowell Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility; EnerWealth is the project’s owner and developer; and hep solar served as the engineering, procurement and construction partner.

The 10.7-acre solar facility was developed on underused land at the facility, with only 5.5% of the host parcel disturbed. The project required no grading, allowing existing hardwood stands to remain in place. A 20-foot vegetative buffer and existing scrub vegetation were also preserved along the property line, while wildlife-friendly fencing allows small animals to move through the site.

The facility features 4,576 bifacial solar panels and is expected to generate approximately 4,080 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually — enough to power an estimated 380 homes each year. The project is also estimated to avoid approximately 1,580 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

“The McDowell Creek Solar Facility shows what is possible when strong partnerships turn shared goals into lasting community benefits,” said Thomas Golden, chief executive officer of EnergyUnited. EnergyUnited is proud to partner with Charlotte Water, one of our valued members, along with hep solar and EnerWealth, to advance a more sustainable energy future while continuing to deliver the reliable and affordable service our members and communities count on.”

McDowell Creek is part of EnergyUnited’s continued growth in renewable energy. More than 6 megawatts of solar capacity are currently interconnected through EnergyUnited members, while utility-scale projects in Taylorsville, Farmington and Huntersville represent approximately 12 megawatts of additional solar capacity. With another 10 megawatts expected to be energized by the end of 2026, EnergyUnited continues to expand its diverse supply of energy resources while planning for the needs of its members and communities.

About EnergyUnited

EnergyUnited Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is the largest electric cooperative in North Carolina with 145,038 member connections. Headquartered in Statesville, EnergyUnited provides electric service in portions of 19 counties in west central North Carolina which include Alexander, Cabarrus, Caldwell,

EnergyUnited and project partners celebrate the completion of the McDowell Creek Solar Facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Sept. 24, in Huntersville. The 2.6-megawatt facility, located at Charlotte Water’s McDowell Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility, adds another renewable energy resource to EnergyUnited’s energy supply portfolio.

Photo courtesy of Charlotte Water.