Four County Electric Membership Cooperative sought to expand renewable energy access for members who may not have the ability to install traditional rooftop solar systems. Many cooperative members faced barriers such as renting their homes, lacking roof ownership, or being unable to support the upfront investment associated with private solar installations.
At the same time, the cooperative wanted to strengthen its long-term sustainability efforts and invest in clean energy infrastructure that could support both member participation and broader grid resiliency goals.
The project site presented several design constraints. Available land adjacent to the substation was limited and irregularly shaped, requiring careful system planning to maximize usable space and overall solar production.
The system also needed to function as a scalable community solar resource that could reliably serve participating cooperative members while integrating efficiently with existing utility infrastructure.
The project was designed to allow cooperative members to benefit from solar energy generation without needing to install or maintain solar panels on their own property.
Cape Fear Energy Solutions coordinated closely with Four County EMC to maximize both solar production and land efficiency within the constraints of the irregular project site.
The solar garden was positioned adjacent to existing utility infrastructure to support efficient interconnection and long-term operational reliability.
The installation supports Four County EMC’s broader commitment to resiliency, renewable energy adoption, and diversified energy resources for its membership base.
The final installation included a 130 kW community solar garden composed of 352 solar panels generating approximately 191,500 kWh annually.
The system was carefully engineered to maximize energy production within the available land footprint while integrating directly with nearby substation infrastructure. Through the community solar program, Four County EMC members can now subscribe to receive the benefits of solar energy generation even if they are unable to install their own rooftop system.
The community solar model creates a shared renewable energy resource that allows participating members to offset a portion of their electricity usage with solar generation without the cost of private system ownership.
The solar garden strengthens Four County EMC’s renewable energy portfolio while efficiently utilizing available land near existing utility infrastructure. The system also supports long-term energy diversification and local generation capacity.
This project demonstrates how community solar can broaden access to renewable energy beyond traditional rooftop installations. By creating a shared solar resource, Four County EMC allows more members to participate in clean energy generation regardless of property ownership or financial limitations.
The installation also highlights the importance of thoughtful engineering and utility coordination. Even with limited and irregular land availability, the system was designed to maximize production while integrating seamlessly into existing grid infrastructure.