Details on Duke Energy Florida’s four new solar power plants

By SB Staff July 29, 2021

Duke Energy Florida announced the locations of its four newest solar power plants – the latest move in the company’s program to expand its renewable generation portfolio. The company plans to invest an estimated $1 billion in 10 new solar power plants across Florida, including the four sites announced today. Construction on the four sites will begin in early 2022 and will take approximately 9 to 12 months to complete. Construction of all 10 sites is projected to be finished by late 2024.

“We continue investing in utility-scale solar in Florida because our customers deserve a cleaner energy future,” said Duke Energy Florida state president Melissa Seixas. “These solar plants are the latest milestones in our strategy to deliver reliable, cost-effective, clean energy to our customers.”

Combined, the plants will produce about 750 MW of new, cost-effective solar power.

The four new sites:

The Hildreth Solar Power Plant will be built on 635 acres in Suwannee County, Fla. Once operational, the 74.9-MW facility will consist of approximately 220,000 single-axis tracking bifacial solar panels. Its innovative double-sided panel design is highly efficient and tracks the movement of the sun. The plant will be capable of effectively producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000 average-sized homes at peak production.
The Bay Ranch Solar Power Plant will be built on 645 acres in Bay County, Fla. The 74.9-MW plant will consist of approximately 220,000 single-axis bifacial tracking solar panels that will produce enough carbon-free energy to effectively power more than 23,000 average-sized homes at peak production. Its innovative double-sided panel design is highly efficient and tracks the movement of the sun.
The Hardeetown Solar Power Plant will be built on 650 acres in Levy County, Fla. Once operational, the 74.9-MW facility will consist of approximately 218,000 single-axis bifacial tracking solar panels. Its double-sided panel design is highly efficient and tracks the movement of the sun.
The High Springs Solar Power Plant is proposed to be built on 700 acres in Alachua County, Fla. Once operational, the 74.9-MW facility will consist of approximately 216,000 single-axis tracking solar panels. The plant will be capable of effectively producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000 average-sized homes at peak production.

Duke Energy’s solar generation portfolio represents more than $2 billion of investment, about 1,500-MW of emission-free generation and approximately five million solar panels in the ground by 2024. The company currently has more than 900-MW of solar generation under construction or in operation in Florida.