Duke Energy Florida is to begin construction on four new solar energy plants early in 2022 as part of its $1 billion solar infrastructure plan in the state, aimed at creating solar generation capacity amounting to 750MW.
In total Duke’s investment will comprise 10 new plants completed in Florida by 2024. The first four will be completed within 9 to 12 months, says Duke.
The combined output Combined the Duke Energy Florida solar plants will generate close to 750 MW at capacity.
The four sites are to have more or less identical specifications, as follows: the Hildreth Solar array, on 635 acres in Suwannee County, capacity 74.9 MW facility when operational and consisting of 220 000 single-axis tracking bifacial solar panels; the Bay Ranch plant of 645 acres in Bay County; High Springs plant on 700 acres in Alachua County, with 216 000 single-axis tracking solar panels; and the Hardeetown array on 650 acres in Levy County, which will have 218 000 single-axis bifacial tracking solar panels.
Duke Energy Florida, like neighbouring utility Florida Power & Light, is accelerating its solar energy development across the state as it retires coal-fired power. Duke plans to have spent $2 billion and installed about five million solar panels by 2024, including the more than 900 MW already under construction or in operation throughout the state.
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