Duke Energy is building on the success of popular solar power programs to help more customers go solar across the Carolinas. Demand has been so strong from residential customers that the rebate allotment has already been met for 2019.  The company will continue offering these rebates over the next three years. Large solar projects: In 2018, Duke Energy connected more than 500 megawatts (MW) of solar energy capacity to the Carolinas' system. Over the past four years, Duke Energy has connected more than 2,500 MW to its grid in the Carolinas, enough to power about half million homes at peak output. This has made North Carolina No. 2 in the nation for overall solar power capacity. Recently, Duke Energy brought online the Woodleaf Solar Facility in Rowan County, N.C. The 6-MW facility is comprised of 30,000 solar panels on a 116-acre site. The solar plant has an innovative tracking system that allows the panels to pivot throughout the day to capture the maximum amount of sunshine. At peak output, the solar plant can power more than 1,000 homes. The future looks bright for other large-scale solar projects. Duke Energy launched a competitive bidding process for new solar capacity last year. The process, being overseen by an independent administrator, seeks to add 680 MW of new solar capacity in 2019 – enough to power about 125,000 homes at peak output. This will ensure the best and most cost-effective projects are built to benefit customers in the Carolinas. A total of 78 projects bid 3,900 MW of solar capacity in the first tranche – with all projects offering energy prices below the company's avoided cost. Projects can be built in both states. Winners will be selected later this year.