Duke Energy Florida opens solar plant in Bay County

Duke Energy Florida began operations on a utility-scale solar power plant in Bay County this week.

The Sandy Creek Solar Power Plant, built on 625 acres, is the first of its kind in the county. The facility, which will generate 74.9 megawatts (MW) of energy, consists of approximately 220,000 single-axis tracking solar panels capable of producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000 homes annually at peak production.

“Growing renewable energy in Florida is a top priority for us, and we are proud to complete the first utility-scale solar site in Bay County,” Duke Energy Florida state president Melissa Seixas said. “This project will play a major role in our state’s transition toward a cleaner energy future and demonstrates how neighbors, businesses, and communities can come together to make meaningful impacts that will benefit Florida’s environment, energy system, and electric customers.”

Overall, Duke Energy Florida is providing 700 MW of clean energy through the completion of 10 facilities by the end of 2022. These 10 facilities are located throughout the state, with nine of them now in service. The remaining site in Hardee County is expected to be completed this summer.

By 2024, Duke Energy Florida’s solar generation portfolio will include 25 grid-tied solar power plants, providing about 1,500 MW of emission-free generation from approximately 5 million solar panels.