Growing Solar Energy in Florida

Many customers want more renewable energy choices. Duke Energy Florida is dedicated to providing solar energy in an affordable, reliable and sustainable way.

We're shaping the energy future with cleaner, smarter solutions that our customers value.

We believe solar will play a significant role in how we deliver more diverse clean energy to our Florida customers, now and into the future, as the company strives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, addresses climate risks and transforms the way we operate.

Continuing Our Strong Support for Solar

• In 1988, Duke Energy Florida began working with solar technology at its universal solar array near the Econlockhatchee Trail.
• Since 2003, Duke Energy Florida has funded more than $7 million for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at 50 K-12 schools to promote renewable energy education. Some of these schools also serve as emergency shelters.
• In 2011, a Duke Energy affiliate brought the first solar power plant to Orange County, Fla. Duke Energy's Stanton Solar Farm produces more than 10 million kilowatt-hours annually for the Orlando Utilities Commission.
• Since 2011, Duke Energy Florida has funded more than $8 million to assist retail customers installing solar at their own homes and businesses.
• In 2016, Duke Energy completed a 5-megawatt (MW) solar power plant that serves the Reedy Creek Improvement District and its customers, like the Walt Disney World Resort.
• In 2016, Duke Energy Florida opened two universal solar power plants – one in Osceola County (3.8 MW) and one in Taylor County (5.1 MW). 
• In 2017, Duke Energy Florida's third universal solar power plant in Suwannee County (8.8 MW) came online.
• In 2017, Duke Energy announced plans to add up to 700 MW between 2018 and 2022 as part of its broader vision to expand renewables for the benefit of all Florida customers. The Hamilton Solar Power Plant (74.9 MW) was the first project in the series to come online in December 2018 to meet that commitment.
• The 45-MW Lake Placid Solar Power Plant in Highlands County began serving customers Dec. 9, 2019, with 180,000 solar panels.
• The Trenton Solar Power Plant in Gilchrist County began serving customers Dec. 18, 2019. The facility is 74.9 MW and has 280,000 solar panels.
• The 1 millionth panel was installed at the 74.9-MW Columbia Solar Power Plant, which includes approximately 300,000 solar panels and began serving customers in March 2020.
• Two 74.9-MW facilities in Hamilton and Columbia counties began serving customers in March 2021. The two facilities have approximately 235,000 solar panels.
• The Duette Solar Power Plant in Manatee County is a 74.5-MW facility and has approximately 227,000 solar panels. The facility was placed in service on Oct. 25, 2021 – more than seven weeks ahead of its scheduled completion date.

Improving Our Communities with Clean Solar Energy

• Duke Energy's Renewable Service Center connects more than 370 customers per month who use private rooftop solar. In total, these customers account for more than 55 MW of Florida solar.
• About 80 low-income residential families are benefiting from solar thermal hot water heating systems funded by Duke Energy Florida.
• Duke Energy Florida continues to partner with major universities, including the University of South Florida, University of Florida, St. Petersburg College and University of Central Florida, and has installed a 100-kilowatt solar PV system at each school to be used for educational research and development.
• Duke Energy Florida partnered with the University of South Florida St. Petersburg to fund a $1 million solar PV installation that integrated an advanced energy storage system along with innovative and educational data reporting systems.
• In 2016, Duke Energy provided supplemental solar curriculum lesson plans and activities and educational tools to Taylor County Elementary School.
• In 2020, Duke Energy Florida partnered with the city of St. Petersburg to complete a solar parking canopy that provides shaded parking at the St. Pete Pier. 
• In 2020, Duke Energy Florida announced a new community solar program – Clean Energy Connection. Once operational, the program will provide our Florida customers with about 750 MW of clean solar power – offering more options for qualified residential, business and local government customers to share in a slice of the company’s solar energy production on a voluntary basis. Customers in Florida were invited to register to subscribe to the program in April 2022. The first Clean Energy Connection plants will go online in 2022 and more will follow through 2024.
• By 2024, Duke Energy Florida’s solar generation portfolio will represent over $2 billion of investment, about 1,500 MW of emission-free generation and approximately 5 million solar panels in the ground.