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New locations are part of a $ 1 billion nationwide solar investment.
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – Duke Energy Florida today announced the locations of its four newest solar power plants – the latest step in the company’s program to expand its renewable generation portfolio.
“We continue to invest in utility-scale solar in Florida because our customers deserve a cleaner energy future,” said Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida. “These solar systems are the latest milestones in our strategy to provide our customers with reliable, inexpensive and clean energy.”
Duke Energy Florida plans to invest an estimated $ 1 billion in 10 new solar power plants across Florida, including the four locations announced today.
Construction work at the four locations will begin in early 2022 and will take around 9 to 12 months. The construction of all 10 locations should be completed by the end of 2024.
Together, the systems will produce around 750 megawatts (MW) of new, cost-effective solar power.
One of the new locations will be in Suwannee County in northern Florida.
“Suwannee County welcomes Duke Energy’s newest solar project. It promotes green energy and brings jobs and capital investment to our community, ”said Jimmy Norris, director of economic development for Suwannee County. “We invite more opportunities that protect the environment and at the same time support the future growth of our community.”
The four new pages:
- The Hildreth solar power plant will be built on 635 acres in Suwannee County, Florida. After commissioning, the 74.9 MW system will consist of around 220,000 single-axis bifacial tracking solar modules. Its innovative double-sided panel design is highly efficient and follows the movement of the sun. The facility will be able to effectively produce enough electricity to power about 23,000 average sized households at peak production.
- The Bay Ranch solar power plant will be built on 645 acres in Bay County, Florida. The 74.9 MW power plant will consist of approximately 220,000 single-axis bifacial tracking solar cells that will produce enough carbon-free energy to effectively power an average of more than 23,000-large homes at peak production. Its innovative double-sided panel design is highly efficient and follows the movement of the sun.
- The Hardeetown Solar Power Plant will be built on 650 acres in Levy County, Florida. After commissioning, the 74.9 MW system will consist of around 218,000 single-axis bifacial tracking solar cells. Its double-sided panel design is highly efficient and follows the movement of the sun.
- The High Springs Solar Power Plant is to be built on 700 acres in Alachua County, Florida. After commissioning, the 74.9 MW system will consist of around 216,000 single-axis tracking solar modules. The facility will be able to effectively produce enough electricity to power about 23,000 average sized households at peak production.
Duke Energy’s solar generation portfolio includes investments of more than $ 2 billion, emission-free generation of approximately 1,500 MW and approximately five million solar panels in the ground by 2024.
The company currently has more than 900 MW of solar power generation under construction or in operation in Florida.
Building a Smarter Energy Future®
Duke Energy Florida is a leader in promoting clean energy in the state.
At the beginning of the year, the company announced two more new solar locations:
- Construction of the Bay Trail solar power plant, located on 500 acres in Citrus County, Florida, is underway. After commissioning, the 74.9 MW system will consist of around 197,000 bifacial tracking solar modules. Its innovative double-sided panel design is highly efficient and follows the movement of the sun. The facility will be able to effectively produce enough electricity to power about 23,000 average sized households at peak production.
- The Fort Green Solar Power Plant is being mobilized on 500 acres in Hardee County, Florida. The 74.9 MW power plant will consist of approximately 265,000 bifacial solar panels and use a fixed-pitch shelving system that will generate enough carbon-free energy to effectively operate more than 23,000 medium-sized households at peak production.
Once both sites are completed, the Bay Trail and Fort Green solar power plants will assist Duke Energy Florida in completing the installation of its three millionth solar panel in the state.
In February 2020, Duke Energy Florida announced the installation of its one millionth Florida solar panel at the company’s Columbia Solar Power Plant in Fort White, Florida.
Video about the installation of the millionth solar module in the Columbia Solar Power Plant
Video of the Columbia plant, from a drone
More information on installation
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, has a diverse generation mix of natural gas, coal and renewable energies and supplies approximately 1.9 million customers in a 13,000 square mile supply area with approximately 10,200 megawatts of own electrical power.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its electricity suppliers serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky and have a combined energy capacity of 51,000 megawatts. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.
Duke Energy is implementing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a leading U.S. renewable energy company on track to operate or purchase 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company is also investing in major grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and researching zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear power.
Duke Energy was named one of Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” in 2021 and Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers” list. Further information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains press releases, datasheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy lighting features stories about people, innovations, community and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Media contact: Ana Gibbs
Cell phone: 813.928.7263
Media line: 800.559.3853
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