U.S. solar developer Duke Energy has announced a long-term vision for expanding Florida’s clean power capacity, with a plan to add up to 500 MW of utility-scale solar energy in the Sunshine State by 2024.
The company’s 2015 Ten-Year Site Plan, which was filed with the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC), calls for huge additions of capacity to Duke’s solar fleet. This begins with an initial proposal for the construction of a 5 MW solar facility to commence later this year and for a further 35 MW of solar power to be completed by 2018.
Duke Energy says these preliminary projects will help assess the costs of rolling out a large network of new solar facilities and allow it to monitor the effect of added renewable power on the electric grid infrastructure.
“Innovative investments in solar energy will provide customers with more options to use this resource, while diversifying our energy mix and continuing to meet the needs of Florida’s growing economy and population,” said Alex Glenn, state president of Duke Energy Florida.
According to the company, one megawatt of utility-scale solar is the equivalent of 200 average rooftop solar power systems.
The 35 MW of solar panels will help Duke meet a “significant need” for new generation and complement investments in several highly-efficient combined cycle natural gas facilities in both Citrus and Polk Counties. Duke’s Ten-Year Plan also calls for the de-commissioning of half of its coal-fired power stations by 2018.
Since 2007, Duke Energy Renewables has spent over $4 billion on wind and solar projects in 12 states across the USA, including Florida’s 6 MW Stanton photovoltaic solar farm in Orange County. The company’s Florida arm has partnered with the state’s university on a $1 million rooftop PV system with battery storage on campus grounds.
“The University of South Florida in St. Petersburg has long enjoyed a partnership with Duke Energy, which shares our values around sustainability and has established itself as a leader in developing solar and renewable programs,” said Jessica Blais, USFSP communications director. “We are excited that they will bring this expertise to others in Florida.”
