Duke Energy completes solar power plant at Naval Support Activity Crane in Indiana

Duke Energy recently celebrated the completion of the 17-megawatt solar power plant at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane near Bloomington, Indiana with a ribbon-cutting ceremony supported by Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and leaders from Duke Energy, the Department of the Navy (DON) and NSA Crane.

“The solar project at Naval Support Activity Crane will serve as a catalyst for future energy infrastructure projects for the Navy, as well as bringing greater energy management to our state, spurring innovation and growth,” Crouch said.

Duke Energy built and will own, operate and maintain the facility. In exchange for providing a location for the project, NSA Crane will receive electrical infrastructure upgrades, a motor-operated disconnect switch and a microgrid feasibility study to improve future base resiliency.

The project comprises 76,000 solar panels on 145 acres.

“This solar power plant helps provide our customers with a more balanced energy mix using both traditional fuel sources and renewable energy sources,”Duke Energy Indiana President Melody Birmingham-Byrd said. “We are pleased to partner with the Navy on a project that will deliver clean energy to Indiana customers, and improved energy security for the Navy.”