Principal Solar, Inc. (PSI), a solar power company that is creating a utility-scale operation, announced that it will build the largest solar facility east of the Rockies. The project, located in Hope Mills, NC, will have a capacity of 78.5 MW AC with a total investment of approximately USD$173 million. Duke Energy Progress, Inc. has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to buy energy from the project.

“This project launches Principal Solar as a leader in the solar utility sector, meeting the growing demand for zero-emission, cost efficient energy,” said Michael Gorton, chairman and CEO of PSI. “This project has a stable source of long-term revenue, and represents a major step forward for the U.S. solar industry. Principal Solar remains focused on rapid growth via the acquisition of shovel-ready solar projects, drawing on our industry expertise to be a long-term and repeat business partner for both solar project developers and traditional utilities.”

The Principal Solar team has more than 200 years of cumulative energy experience with leading utilities such as TXU Energy. Chief Executive Michael Gorton has significant energy industry expertise, and has founded successful businesses in healthcare, IT and telecommunications.

The company’s Board of Directors includes established energy and industry executives such as Brenda Jackson, former Chief Customer Officer of Oncor, and Garrett Boone, founder of the Container Store. The Company’s Board of Advisors includes Hunter L. Hunt, President and CEO of Hunt Consolidated Power, and Erle Nye, former CEO of TXU.

PSI acquired the right to develop the project from Innovative Solar Systems, LLC of Asheville, North Carolina. The acquisition of the project is expected to close no later than June 3, 2015, with construction to be completed in early 2016.