Florida Public Service Commission approves cost recovery for three Duke Energy Florida solar projects

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Tuesday cost recovery for Duke Energy Florida, LLC (DEF) for the development of three solar projects.

The projects will produce clean energy, diversify the fuel mix and save customers an estimated $105 million, DEF said.

“Duke Energy’s solar projects will help the utility provide clean, cost-effective energy now and in the future to benefit Florida customers,” PSC Commissioner Art Graham said. “With utility expansion of renewable generation, Florida consumers continue to benefit from emissions-free energy.”

The PSC found that the solar projects are cost-effective and meet the provisions of its 2017 Settlement Agreement.

The projects include the Trenton Solar Power Plant, a 74.9 megawatt (MW) facility in Gilchrist County, and the Lake Placid Solar Power Plant, a 45 MW facility in Highlands County, which are expected to enter service by December 2019. The DeBary Generating Station is a 74.5 MW facility in Volusia County and is expected to go online by the first quarter of 2020.

DEF requested approval of $32 million in total annual revenue requirements for the three new projects. The company petitioned for cost recovery through a Solar Base Rate Adjustment (SoBRA), which allows the PSC to consider adding solar projects to a utility’s rate base without a full rate case proceeding.

Under DEF’s agreement, the company is authorized to request PSC approval for cost recovery of up to 700 MW of solar generation during the agreement term and up to 350 MW in 2019.

This is the company’s second round of solar projects under the 2017 Settlement Agreement. In April, the PSC approved cost recovery for the first round of solar projects, the Hamilton Solar Power Plant and the Columbia Solar Power Plant.