Canadian Solar has announced that it has completed construction on two utility-scale solar power projects in North Carolina, with a third expected to be completed in mid -July. The projects, named "Lenoir 1, Lenoir 2 and Wilson 1," total 18 MW and are part of a 15-project portfolio totaling 85MW, being jointly developed with Strata Solar announced earlier this year.

In total, the latest three solar power projects use approximately 40,608 Canadian Solar CS6P-P 245 and 19,896 CS6P-P 250 Watt solar modules. Once connected to the grid, they are together expected to create enough renewable energy to power 2,500 homes and will divert 13,250 metric tons of CO2 per year, the equivalent of removing 3,944 cars from the road.

The first Canadian Solar and Strata Solar joint solar power plant commissioned was Fuquay Farm, a 6.4MW DC project located in Middle Creek, Willow Springs in Wake County, North Carolina. The project broke ground in November 2012 and was connected to the grid March 2013.

"Strata Solar has proven to be a reliable, trusted partner, committed to bringing clean, renewable energy to North Carolina," said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar.

"We are pleased with the speed at which our first four projects have come online and look forward to working closely with Strata Solar on the rest of our portfolio of projects in North Carolina."

"The Lenoir farms and the first of two Wilson projects complete the next chapter in our journey through the Strata and Canadian Solar portfolio," said Markus Wilhelm, Chief Executive Officer of Strata Solar.

"We are thrilled to be partnered with Canadian Solar to further bolster our long term employment record in the state while fostering environmental responsibility and bringing even more clean energy to North Carolina."