Duke Energy to start construction of two new 74.9 MW solar projects in Florida

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.

The Twin Rivers Solar Power Plant will be built on 460 acres in Hamilton County. Once operational, the 74.9 megawatt (MW) facility will consist of approximately 235,000 tracking solar panels. The panels track the movement of the sun and are capable of producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000 homes at peak production.

The Santa Fe Solar Power Plant will be installed on approximately 600 acres in Columbia County. The 74.9 MW plant's approximately 235,000 tracking solar panels will produce enough carbon-free energy to power more than 23,000 average homes at peak production.

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.

Additionally, Duke Energy Florida completed two solar facilities in December.

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

The Trenton Solar Power Plant in Gilchrist County was commissioned on December 18, 2019. The 74.9 MW solar farm produces enough power to supply more than 23,000 homes at peak production.

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

The DeBary Solar Power Plant is under construction in Volusia County and will bring another 300,000 solar panels in 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.