Solar Energy

Installation of solar is a key strategy in our Sustainability, Climate Action, and Environmental work allowing property owners, including Cary, to mitigate the impacts of rising energy costs, while also mitigating environmental impacts. 

New Cary facilities will have rooftop solar considerations early in the planning process. In 2023, Cary's Solar Feasibility Study was completed, assessing 79 existing Cary facilities for rooftop solar strategies, energy efficiency upgrades, and building structures for solar readiness. The study identified 71 structurally viable buildings for rooftop solar that offset energy demands and are economically sound. 

For many years, Cary has demonstrated a commitment to energy efficiency goals and strategies in operations and in the community, advancing solar as a significant alternative source. In 2012, Cary fostered the creation of a 2.1 megawatt solar array at the South Cary Water Reclamation site. The South Cary Water Reclamation Solar Facility provides enough electricity to power 174 homes every year. 

Additionally, Cary maintains its own rooftop solar installations at USA Baseball National Training Complex, Fire Station 8, and the Cary-Apex Water Treatment Facility. Cary also utilizes solar panels to power its innovative floodplain monitoring system.  However, citizens might more frequently encounter the smaller solar panels which light some of GoCary's bus stops.

The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association analyses the solar use across the state, and in 2021 put out a Cary and Solar Report detailing how Cary is doing compared to sister municipalities. This report showed how Cary is a community leader in solar production compared to many communities its size, and still has opportunities to grow!

Learn more about adding solar to your home and business at the Cary Solar webpage! 

Carbon Reduction Recommendations

In 2019, Cary's Environmental Advisory Board created the Carbon Reduction Recommendations which provided actions the Town can take to reduce carbon emissions, address climate change, and create climate resiliency. Cary's Town Council accepted these recommendations, including the goal to reduce carbon emissions by 25% by 2025, and 100% by 2040.

In order to meet these ambitious carbon reduction goals, Cary first had to analyze its carbon footprint to create a carbon baseline. The 2018 Carbon Baseline Analysis was completed in 2020 and includes information about the energy consumption of not just Cary's operations, but the community at large.

Strategic Energy Action Plan

Cary has long been dedicated to energy efficiency. In 2012, the Town of Cary created its first Strategic Energy Action Plan, outlining energy reduction goals and management plans. These plans addressed key Town facilities including water management, fleet and operationtos, buildings, and streetlights. The Strategic Energy Action Plan was updated in 2015 to reflect progress made on the plan. With the 2020 completion of the carbon baseline, Cary is undergoing another update of its Strategic Energy Action Plan to reflect its carbon reduction goals.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting in Cary

As early as 2005, Cary started converting its traffic signals and became the first municipality in North Carolina to achieve 100% LED traffic light conversion. Since then, Cary has continued to install LED lights to save energy and improve lighting on Cary streets, Town facility exteriors, interior office spaces, and at both parking decks. LED lights also light up sports and entertainment venues such as WakeMed Soccer Park stadium and fields 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8; the championship court at the tennis park; Ritter Park ball fields, and Koka Booth Amphitheatre.