Carolina Solar Energy LLC
400 W. Main St, Suite 503 , Durham, North Carolina, United States

For more than 15 years, we’ve been pioneers in bringing solar energy to the Southeast. Our role is to connect all the essential people to spark a successful solar project.

We develop utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar energy projects in North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. Our goals are to:

• reduce the cost of solar energy 

• increase the use of renewable energy 

• bring economic development to underserved areas

We continue the family legacy of solar energy pioneers to build a greener future.

From a young age, Carson knew of her dad's passion for solar energy. She didn't know then that Richard Harkrader would become known as the "grandfather of solar energy in NC."  Richard started Carolina Solar Energy in 2004. His goal was to show that Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard legislation could build an industry for solar energy legislation could build an industry for solar energy in NC. He spent a few years of trial and error in developing early projects. In 2007, Richard built the first utility-scale solar project in the Southeast, at NC State.   That same year, his business partner Gerry Dudzik joined the company. Gerry's experience at AT&T from the early days of the cell phone industry proved ideal. Instead of zoning permits for cell phone towers, Gerry now sought permits for solar projects.  For 11 years, Richard and Gerry developed many solar projects in North Carolina and Virginia. The company has always been active in policy work to build and support the US solar industry.  Carson joined them in 2012, after gaining experience with GE Energy and getting her MBA. Richard and Gerry both retired in early 2018, passing the company to Carson’s care.  One of Carson's key decisions after taking over the company has been to shift focus to Kentucky. In March 2020, Carolina Solar Energy became the first solar company to apply for Kentucky state-level permits for a solar project. We continue to be early to market, leading others into successful solar projects.   Carson has also focused on developing projects in Duke Energy Carolinas service territory in western NC. The first of those projects, Olin Creek, won a 2019 RFP from the City of Charlotte. It's now the largest US city to acquire large scale solar through a green tariff.   In part due to our early work, NC has become one of the country's leading solar markets. We rank second in the US (behind California) in installed solar. Our company keeps leading communities throughout the Southeast to create sustainable clean energy. Learn about some of our recent projects.