Haywood EMC office in Waynesville goes solar

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — And a mountain power provider is turning to the sun to supply its electricity.

Haywood Electric Cooperative has flipped the switch on a solar project at its Waynesville headquarters.

Haywood EMC has partnered with Pisgah Energy and Renewable Design Associates to install more than 1,400 solar panels. They will generate enough power to offset 89 percent of the building's electrical use.

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That will reduce the company's carbon footprint and provide enough electricity to power 75 average homes for a year.

"I know our members are interested in renewable energy, trying to use that a little bit more, offset buying coal-powered or fossil fuel powers," Haywood EMC's Rex LaRowe said.

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The power generated by the solar panels would also be enough to power a Tesla driving coast to coast more than 1,350 times.