Duke Energy Building Two Solar Sites in North Florida
Duke Energy Florida has said that construction on two new solar projects will start later this month in Bay and Madison counties.
These projects are part of Duke Energy's community solar initiative, the Clean Energy Connection, which supports the company's dedication to cleaner energy solutions to serve its customers in Florida.
The construction of these sites will commence in March and take around nine to 12 months to finish, generating roughly 200 to 300 temporary employment opportunities during that duration.
The Mule Creek Renewable Energy Center will occupy around 700 acres and feature well-planned site buffers for the Bay County community. The 74.9-MW facility will comprise approximately 175,000 solar panels upon completion.
Following a fruitful community open house, the Winquepin Renewable Energy Center will be built on nearly 530 acres of land in Madison County, Fla. The 74.9-MW facility will include approximately 220,000 solar panels once it is operational.
At maximum capacity, each location will produce enough emissions-free electricity to supply nearly 23,000 households.
“These new renewable energy projects not only help strengthen the energy diversity in the state and advance our clean energy goals, but they also bring additional economic benefits to the communities we serve,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.
Duke Energy Florida's current fuel mix implies that each 74.9-MW solar project replaces roughly 1.2 million cubic feet of natural gas, 15,000 barrels of fuel oil, and 12,000 tonnes of coal annually.
In 2022, due to elevated fuel costs and the advantages resulting from early tax credits from the new federal law, the Inflation Reduction Act, Duke Energy Florida's solar power facilities will save customers more than $30 million.
Clean Energy Connection programme
Duke Energy Florida's Clean Energy Connection initiative enables its customers to sign up for solar power and gain credits towards their power bills without the need to install or maintain their own equipment.
Subscribers can opt for a portion of solar energy from Duke Energy Florida's Clean Energy Connection solar portfolio. The monthly subscription payment helps fund the construction and operation of renewable energy centres and is easily added to a customer's usual electricity bill.
Customers also receive a related subscription credit reflecting their share of the solar centres' energy output in a given month, multiplied by the subscription credit rate, which increases throughout the subscription's lifespan.
Duke Energy Florida customers who want to participate in the program can obtain additional information from the Clean Energy Connection website.
Source: Duke Energy
