Duke Energy Florida (DEF) has announced the locations of its two newest solar power plants which will provide cleaner, smarter energy solutions to benefit Florida customers. Both solar power plants will be developed, owned, operated and maintained by Duke Energy Florida and are expected to break ground in March 2020. Completion is currently scheduled for late 2020.

"Our two newest solar power plants in Hamilton and Columbia counties are expected to eliminate approximately 600 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in Florida each year upon commercial operation. That's the equivalent of taking about 56,000 passenger cars off the road each year," said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida state president. "We are committed to environmental stewardship and more fuel diversity for our Florida customers' benefit."

During construction each solar project creates 200 to 300 temporary jobs.

"Columbia County is excited to partner with Duke Energy on this solar project that is not only promoting green energy, but also bringing jobs and capital investment into our community," said Columbia County economic development director Glenn Hunter.

"Additionally, Duke Energy's investment into the hundreds of acres of rural farmland in Columbia County is significant to preserve the integrity of our land and development as we move into the future."

Building A Smarter Energy Future
Additionally, Duke Energy Florida completed two solar facilities last month.

The Lake Placid Solar Power Plant in Highlands County, Fla. began serving customers Dec. 9, 2019. The facility is 45 MW, which is enough to power more than 12,000 homes at peak production. Click here for video

The Trenton Solar Power Plant in Gilchrist County, Fla. began serving customers Dec. 18, 2019. The facility is 74.9 MW, which is enough to power more than 23,000 homes at peak production. Click here for video

Solar Projects Under Construction
Duke Energy Florida is building another 74.9 MW with the Columbia Solar Power Plant in Columbia County, Fla., anticipated to begin servicing customers in April 2020.

The DeBary Solar Power Plant is under construction in Volusia County, Fla. and will bring another 300,000 solar panels to Florida with service beginning in June 2020.

Duke Energy Florida is increasingly delivering cleaner energy to customers with a total of almost 370 MW of solar under construction or in service by mid-2020.

The Company is investing an estimated $1 billion to construct or acquire a total of 700 MW of cost-effective solar power facilities from 2018 through 2022 in Florida, and planning for another 1,500 MW of solar generation through 2028.

Duke Energy Florida is encouraging renewable investments within the state. By buying existing solar projects and using a competitive process to select DEF solar contractors, solar panels and project material suppliers, the company's solar power plants bring the greatest amount of dependable renewable energy on line for customers in the most efficient and economical way while creating more jobs in the solar and energy-related markets.

Over the next decade, the company will continue to make innovative and targeted investments in additional solar power plants, battery storage technology, shared solar, transportation electrification and a modernized power grid to help meet customers' needs for diverse, reliable energy solutions.

Related Links
Duke Energy
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

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