Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions building 250 MW solar project in Texas

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions announced this week the start of construction on the 250-MW Pisgah Ridge Solar project in Navarro County, Texas.

The project is the company’s largest solar project to date.

“We’re excited to continue to grow our Texas solar portfolio, which will provide additional energy resources for the citizens of Texas to help meet their growing demand and need for a more diverse energy infrastructure,” Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, said. “This project demonstrates how we can address the community’s need for clean energy resources while providing unique sustainability solutions for customers like Charles River.”

Charles River Laboratories International Inc., a provider of critical research tools and integrated support services to aid drug discovery and development, will invest in part of the site’s generation through a 15-year virtual power purchase agreement. That agreement will account for 102 MW of the facility’s generation and provide for Charles River’s entire electric power load by 2023.

“This VPPA is the first step toward our commitment to source 100% renewable electricity globally by 2030. The benefits of the Pisgah Ridge Solar project move us substantially closer to achieving that goal,” Gregg Belardo, senior director of EHS & sustainability at Charles River, said.

Two other corporations will buy up the remainder of the energy under separate 15-year VPPA agreements. All will agree to an as-generated basis for Pisgah Ridge’s real-time energy output. As for Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions, the facility’s addition will bring its total solar offerings in Texas to around 750 MW.

While Moss will perform engineering and construction, Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions will own and operate the project. Pisgah Ridge should enter commercial service by the end of 2022.

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions is a non-regulated commercial brand of Duke Energy.