SAS adds solar power to local energy

Cary, N.C. — SAS is teaming up with a California company and Progress Energy to add some solar power to the local energy grid.

On Tuesday, SAS, the world’s largest privately held software firm with annual revenues of more than $2 billion, said it would build a solar power grid covering five acres at its headquarters in Cary.

SAS will sell the power to Progress Energy Carolinas, which is under mandate by state law to increase the use of renewable energy sources.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

SunPower, a California-based firm, will build the solar grid, which SAS said will be the largest in the state.

Duke Energy recently announced plans to buy solar power from a grid that is to be built in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

While SAS will sell the energy, the decision also reflects the firm’s commitment to being more environmentally friendly, said co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jim Goodnight.

“This solar farm is one small gesture among many green initiatives within SAS to diminish the impact on our environment,” Goodnight said in a statement. “Future generations depend on us to do the right thing today."

The solar grid will generate 1.7 million kilowatt hours of power per year, or enough to power more than 100 homes.

SunPower will deploy what it calls “The Tracker” system, one that tracks the sun across the sky.

Progress Energy Carolinas is required by North Carolina law to obtain some 12.5 percent of its power through renewable sources by 2021.

"This project is a perfect example of the kind of innovation and leadership our state needs to expand the important role of renewable energy," said Progress Energy Carolinas Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Yates. "Progress Energy is moving forward aggressively and cost-effectively on renewable and alternative energy projects as part of a balanced strategy for meeting the needs of our growing region. We're proud to be part of this milestone. Our hope is that this project, and the partnership and collaboration it represents, will be a model and catalyst for many more like it."

SAS worked with the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University in designing the project.