Parker is president and CEO of 510nano, which focuses on renewable-energy power plant development. The project that broke ground in Garysburg, N.C., is called 510 REPP One and will be the firm’s first utility scale solar farm. It also carries historical significance.

“We believe that this is the largest solar farm developed, owned and operated by a minority owned-firm,” Parker said in a news release. “This is a befitting kickoff for the MLK holiday. The 5,490-plus panel solar farm will be built on land that formerly grew cotton.”

Since its founding in 2005, the firm has developed several renewable energy technologies, and in 2008 began providing power plant development services for clients. It now owns and operates two rooftop systems in California.

The 510 REPP One groundbreaking included a keynote speech by U.S. Department of Energy Director Dot Harris, as well as remarks from members of Congress and other local officials.

510 REPP One will produce about 1.18 million kilowatt hours of energy each year, according to a Daily Herald news article, and that can power about 410 homes. Parker said in the article the energy will be sold to Dominion Power to help keep energy costs lower for local residents.

Parker has more than 15 years of experience in technology design and management, and was formerly a professor at Morehouse and other institutions.  He received both his M.S. in chemical engineering and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech in, respectively, 1995 and 2000.