Duke Energy completed two solar projects in Alachua and Suwannee counties in Florida, the latest sites in the company’s community solar program portfolio, Clean Energy Connection. Together, the sites are delivering 150 MW of clean, renewable energy to the grid for the utility’s Florida customers. At peak output, each site will generate enough carbon-free electricity to power what would be equivalent to around 23,000 homes.
With a combined investment of over $2 billion, Duke Energy Florida’s solar generation portfolio will include 25 grid-tied solar power plants, providing about 1,500 MW of energy from approximately 5 million solar panels by 2024.
“The company is well on its way to meeting a major milestone by placing its 21st solar project in operation by the end of this year, delivering on our customer commitment to provide reliable, affordable, clean energy,” said Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida. “These investments allow Florida customers to enjoy renewable energy, while also providing cost savings by reducing fuel use.”
Through the Clean Energy Connection program, Duke Energy Florida customers can subscribe to solar power and earn credits toward their electricity bills without installing or maintaining their own equipment.
Customers subscribe to a portion of solar energy from the company’s Clean Energy Connection solar portfolio. The monthly subscription fee will help pay for the cost of construction and operation of the renewable energy centers and is conveniently added to a customer’s regular electric bill. Customers also receive a corresponding subscription credit that represents their share of the energy produced by the solar centers in a given month, multiplied by the subscription credit rate, which escalates over the life of the subscription.
Enrolled income-qualified customers will receive immediate bill savings, as monthly credits will always be greater than the program fees. Current participation in any of these or related programs can be used to qualify: Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP-EBT, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver.
