Duke Energy Florida announces opening of Duette Solar Plant

The Duette Solar Power Plant in Manatee County, Fla., owned by Duke Energy Florida, is now operational, the company announced this week.

The Duette facility, located on 520 acres, was placed in service on Oct. 25, some seven weeks ahead of schedule, as the project team performed more than 175,000 safe work hours to finish it. The 74.5-MW facility includes approximately 227,000 single-axis tracking solar panels, capable of producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000 homes annually at peak production.

“Customers want us to provide more renewable and cleaner energy. As another solar site goes into operation, we’re delivering on that promise,” Duke Energy Florida state president Melissa Seixas said. “These investments will allow Florida customers to enjoy an energy system that is increasingly resilient and provides cleaner energy to everyone in our service area.”

It is part of Duke Energy Florida’s $1 billion investment to complete 10 new solar projects and provide 700 MW of clean energy by 2022.

The company is well on its way to completing its goal of having 10 new solar projects by 2022. Eight of those facilities are now in service, while the remaining two are under construction. The 74.9-MW Charlie Creek Solar Power Plant in Hardee County will consist of approximately 235,000 single-axis tracking solar panels capable of producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000 homes at peak production. The 74.9 MW Sandy Creek Solar Power Plant in Bay County will consist of approximately 220,000 single-axis tracking solar panels. It is expected to be completed by spring 2022.

Further, the company announced that an additional 750 MW of solar generation will be completed between 2022 through 2024. This represents another $1 billion investment and the addition of 10 new solar sites. Six of the sites have been announced, with another four sites to be selected in 2022. These 10 projects are projected to lower carbon emission at an average rate of over 700,000 tons per year.

Also in 2022, Duke Energy is expected to have six battery sites in operation in Florida, totaling more than 50 MW of energy storage. Five of the six will be finished by the end of 2021.