O2 Energies, a solar development company based in Charlotte is harvesting something new on the grounds of a family-owned North Carolina soybean farm: 1.5-megawatts worth of electricity produced by the solar array at Sandy Cross Solar. The solar farm is being constructed just an hour from Raleigh and will supply energy through the utility grid to the local community including the neighboring Sandy Cross Vineyard.

O2 Energies is the developer, owner and operator of the Sandy Cross Solar Farm, which is being built by Morrisville-based Southern Energy Management. The electricity generated is enough to power more than 150 typical homes and will be sold to Progress Energy through a power purchase agreement.  

“The Sandy Cross Solar farm will not only generate clean electricity for local residents but will increase the local tax base, generate work in Nash County and educational opportunities for workers and students,” said the project’s owner, O2 Energies Managing Director Olee Joel Olsen Jr.

“This is a perfect example of a good team working together to create something that benefits everyone involved,” said David True, Commercial Solar Services with Southern Energy Management, which is serving as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction partner. “We have a local farmer who will be collecting a lease for decades, O2 Energieswho will own and operate a state ofthe art system, and a community benefiting from a new clean energy source.”

“The Rocky Mount Area Chamber welcomes O2 Energies and the Sandy Cross Solar farm,” said Alan Matthews, VP of Business Recruitment for the Chamber. “Sandy Cross Solar will be an investment in our community, providing work for local subcontractors, clean energy for our citizens, and leverage to attract other industry. The Chamber and its members look forward to working with O2 Energies to make the project successful for all parties, including local businesses.”

Sandy Cross Solar Farm will not only maximize the use of local labor, but O2 Energies has intentionally chosen American-made equipment where possible. The silicon in the 6,000 REC solar modules is manufactured in the US. Additionally, the racking system supporting the panels is made by Daetwyler, a North Carolina-based manufacturer.