Governor Stein's Bold Leadership Is Building North Carolina's Clean Energy Future

In the heart of Pitt County, where fields once stretched unbroken, a gleaming new factory now hums with purpose. Governor Josh Stein stood alongside business leaders and local officials in Greenville, beaming as Boviet Solar cut the ribbon on its $294 million solar module facility. This isn’t just a factory opening; it’s a declaration. North Carolina, under Stein’s leadership, is staking its claim as a powerhouse in America’s clean energy revolution, and the implications ripple far beyond state lines.

The numbers alone tell a story of ambition. Boviet Solar’s investment will create over 900 jobs, injecting vitality into a region hungry for opportunity. These aren’t temporary gigs but skilled positions, offering stability and a chance to build careers in an industry poised to define the 21st century. Stein’s presence at the ceremony wasn’t ceremonial; it was a signal of unwavering commitment to a vision where economic growth and environmental stewardship aren’t at odds but intertwined.

This moment feels like it came out of nowhere, yet it’s the result of years of deliberate policy and bold leadership. North Carolina now ranks ninth in the nation for clean energy jobs, with nearly 110,000 workers powering a sector that includes over 220 solar companies. Boviet’s arrival, with its state-of-the-art million-square-foot campus, cements the state’s role as a leader in a movement that’s reshaping how we power our lives.

But this isn’t just about one factory or one state. It’s about a nation at a crossroads, deciding whether to seize the promise of clean energy or cling to outdated systems that threaten our planet and our prosperity. Stein’s leadership, paired with federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, offers a roadmap for what’s possible when we invest in people and the planet.

Boviet Solar’s decision to plant roots in North Carolina didn’t happen by accident. It’s the fruit of policies that prioritize long-term gain over short-term posturing. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, unleashed hundreds of billions in investments, fueling a solar manufacturing boom that’s transformed states like North Carolina, Texas, and Georgia. Since its passage, over $422 billion in clean energy projects have been announced, supporting more than 406,000 jobs across 48 states. This is what happens when government steps up, not back.

In North Carolina, the impact is tangible. Boviet’s 908 new jobs will ripple through Greenville, boosting local businesses, schools, and communities. Each solar panel produced here strengthens a supply chain that’s increasingly American-made, reducing reliance on foreign imports and enhancing energy security. The domestic content bonus, a key IRA provision, rewards companies like Boviet for using U.S. components, ensuring that the benefits of this investment stay home.

Skeptics, often found among those wary of government spending, argue that such incentives distort markets or burden taxpayers. But the evidence dismantles their case. A single 2.5 GW solar farm expansion, like one studied in Ohio, can generate nearly 7,000 direct jobs and thousands more in supply chains and local economies. North Carolina’s clean energy sector already employs more people than many traditional industries, and the tax revenues from projects like Boviet’s will fund schools, roads, and services for years to come. The real distortion is ignoring the cost of inaction—spiraling climate disasters and missed economic opportunities.

What’s more, this isn’t about picking winners; it’s about leveling the playing field. Fossil fuel industries have enjoyed decades of subsidies, while renewables faced barriers. The IRA corrects that imbalance, giving clean energy the chance to compete and win. Those who dismiss these policies as wasteful often overlook their own communities’ gains—80% of new clean energy investments have flowed to Republican-led districts, proving that good policy transcends party lines.

Beyond economics, Boviet’s factory represents a commitment to equity and resilience. Stein’s vision emphasizes that clean energy isn’t just for coastal elites or urban centers; it’s for places like Pitt County, where rural communities have too often been left behind. By targeting investments in areas hungry for growth, leaders like Stein are ensuring that the clean energy revolution lifts everyone, not just a privileged few.

The push for a localized solar supply chain, bolstered by federal incentives, also addresses a deeper vulnerability. Relying on foreign suppliers, particularly from regions with unstable trade relations, leaves America exposed. Boviet’s facility, alongside over 100 new solar manufacturing plants announced since 2022, is part of a broader effort to bring production home. This isn’t just about jobs; it’s about securing a future where our energy system isn’t held hostage by global disruptions.

Opponents of this approach sometimes claim that tariffs or incentives raise costs or stifle innovation. Yet the reality paints a different picture. U.S. solar manufacturing capacity has skyrocketed from 17 GW in 2023 to over 50 GW today, with projections nearing 144 GW by 2027. This growth hasn’t come at the expense of progress; it’s driven innovation, with companies like Boviet investing in cutting-edge N-Type technology that makes solar panels more efficient and affordable.

North Carolina’s solar surge, embodied by Boviet’s new factory, is a beacon for what America can achieve when courage and pragmatism guide our path. Governor Stein’s leadership shows that we don’t have to choose between jobs and the environment—we can, and must, have both. The 900 families in Greenville who will benefit from these jobs, the communities revitalized by new tax revenues, and the planet spared from further harm all stand as proof.

But this is no time to rest. The clean energy revolution demands sustained commitment. Federal policies must remain robust, resisting efforts to roll back progress for the sake of political points. States must follow North Carolina’s lead, investing in workforce training and infrastructure to keep pace with a rapidly growing industry. And communities must demand leaders who see the future not as a threat but as an opportunity to build something better. North Carolina’s story is just the beginning—let’s make it America’s.