Duke Energy Florida is making significant strides in its commitment to renewable energy with plans to develop four new solar energy sites across the state. The proposed facilities are part of the utility’s broader strategy to increase its solar capacity and contribute to Florida's clean energy transition. In a filing to the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) on February 25, 2025, Duke outlined the details of the new projects, which will collectively add 300 megawatts (MW) of solar power to the grid.

The four new solar sites are planned for Madison County, Sumter County, Hernando County, and Jefferson County, with each site expected to produce 74.9 MW of energy. These projects include the Sundance Renewable Energy Center, Half Moon Renewable Energy Center, Rattler Renewable Energy Center, and Bailey Mill Renewable Energy Center. With these additions, Duke Energy Florida continues to build upon its already extensive solar energy infrastructure.

The New Solar Sites and Timelines

Duke Energy Florida has already begun construction on the Sundance, Half Moon, and Rattler Renewable Energy Centers. These sites are expected to be operational by January 2026. Meanwhile, the Bailey Mill Renewable Energy Center is still in the permitting phase but is anticipated to start construction in the summer of 2025, with a target completion date by the summer of 2026. Once completed, these projects will help meet the growing demand for renewable energy while supporting the state’s economic development.

These new solar sites align with Duke Energy’s larger renewable energy goals. The company has already made significant progress in solar power generation in Florida, with a portfolio of more than 25 solar facilities currently in operation, generating approximately 1,500 MW of clean energy. With the addition of the new projects, the company is advancing its vision of a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

A Strategic Investment in Clean Energy

The development of these four solar projects is part of Duke Energy Florida’s broader plan to invest in renewable energy infrastructure. Between 2025 and 2027, the company plans to build 12 additional solar sites, which will add a total of 900 MW to the state’s grid. This rapid expansion is part of Duke’s efforts to meet Florida's growing energy needs while reducing its carbon footprint. The projects represent a long-term investment in the state’s clean energy future, helping to drive down emissions and support Florida's renewable energy goals.

By 2033, Duke Energy Florida projects that it will have more than 6,100 MW of utility-scale solar generation capacity online. This ambitious target underscores the utility's commitment to increasing its reliance on solar power and reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, thereby supporting the state’s transition toward a more sustainable energy system.

Impact on Florida's Energy Landscape

Florida is one of the sunniest states in the U.S., making it an ideal location for large-scale solar projects. The state has been rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity, particularly solar, in recent years. Duke Energy Florida’s projects will play a pivotal role in this growth, helping to diversify the state’s energy mix and increase the reliability of its power grid. Solar energy offers significant environmental and economic benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating jobs, and lowering energy costs for consumers in the long run.

In addition to reducing the state’s reliance on traditional fossil fuel-based generation, these solar sites will help ensure the stability and resilience of Florida's power grid. Solar energy provides a distributed generation model that can reduce transmission and distribution losses while enhancing grid reliability. Furthermore, the flexibility of solar energy, combined with energy storage systems, will help meet the peak demand for electricity, especially during the hot summer months when air conditioning usage spikes.

Community and Environmental Benefits

The new solar projects also bring substantial benefits to the local communities where they are being developed. Solar energy projects typically create local jobs during the construction phase, and ongoing operations also generate permanent positions for maintenance and monitoring. This influx of employment opportunities is a boon for the local economies in the counties where the solar sites will be located.

From an environmental perspective, the expansion of solar energy in Florida will help reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants associated with traditional energy sources. Solar power is a clean, renewable resource that generates no direct emissions during operation. By adding these new solar sites to its portfolio, Duke Energy is making a significant contribution to Florida's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Duke Energy Florida is poised to continue its leadership role in the state's clean energy transition. The company’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its ongoing investments in solar power, energy storage, and other clean technologies. As part of its larger strategy, Duke is also working to integrate more advanced grid technologies and energy management systems that will enable the efficient distribution of renewable energy across the state.

By expanding its solar portfolio and continuing to innovate, Duke Energy Florida is helping to shape the future of Florida's energy landscape, creating a cleaner, more sustainable power grid for generations to come. With each new project, Duke is advancing the state's renewable energy goals, bringing the promise of a greener future one step closer.