In a move which could see hundreds of home rooftops combined to make a solar power plant, Duke Energy, the US power giant, is seeking partners for a $100 million plan. Starting in early 2009, Duke Energy wants to install electricity-generating photovoltaic solar panels at up to 850 North Carolina sites, including homes, schools, office buildings, shopping malls, warehouses and large manufacturing facilities – both on roofs and on the ground.

Electricity generated through the program would total at least 16 megawatts – enough to power 2,600 homes – after the solar power is converted from direct current to alternating current.

The proposal, first announced in June, requires approval by the North Carolina Utilities Commission before it can be implemented.

Duke Energy would own and, through contractors, install and maintain the solar panels. The utility also would own the electricity generated, which would be sent to the electrical grid that serves all customers.

The company would compensate homeowners, businesses and other entities that offer their roofs or land for the program, based on the size of the installation and amount of electricity generated at any given location.

The solar plan would be Duke Energy’s first large-scale involvement in distributed generation, in which electricity is generated close to customers rather than at large, centralized power plants.

Duke Energy will begin installations in early 2009, contingent on regulatory approval. The company proposes to complete all installations by late 2010.

Each installation is expected to have a useful life of 20 to 25 years.

Duke Energy would contract with one or more companies that specialize in solar technology to supply and install the necessary materials and equipment at all sites.

Companies interested in bidding on the project can visit Duke Energy’s renewable energy web page.