Duke Energy Renewables buys Shoreham Solar Commons

Duke Energy Renewables acquired the 24.9-megawatt Shoreham Solar Commons from Invenergy.

Shoreham Solar Commons, located in the Town of Brookhaven on Long Island, N.Y., went into service on July 1. The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is purchasing the power under a 20-year agreement. It is built on the former Tallgrass Golf Couse.

“As we continue to provide affordable, renewable energy to customers across the United States, we are especially pleased our first renewables project in New York helps meet the sustainability goals and energy needs of LIPA’s customers and offers economic benefits to the local community,” Rob Caldwell, president, Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology, said.

The site will produce about 1 million megawatt-hours of renewable energy over its lifetime and will displace 29,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Further, it is expected to generate between $700,000 and $900,000 in annual tax revenue.

“Repurposing the former Tallgrass Golf Course into a solar site eliminates the use of pesticides and fertilizers on the property, protecting Long Island’s fresh water aquifer,” Invenergy’s EVP and Chief Development Officer Bryan Schueler said. “We also planted 2,000 trees on the site, providing further environmental benefits in addition to the generation of renewable energy.”

Duke Energy Renewables’ produces about 2,900 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar power across 14 states from 21 wind and 64 solar projects.