Duke Energy Builds on Its Promise for More Solar
Earlier this month, Duke Energy announced plans for a 3.8-megawatt solar energy project in Osceola, Florida. The energy company has said they’ve acquired the necessary permits to move forward with the project. And that this is yet another step toward achieving their long-term solar energy goals in the state of Florida.
Aiming for Clean Energy
Duke’s Florida President, Alex Glenn, has been reported saying that, “as the cost of solar energy continues to decrease, we’re increasing our investments in this resource. It’s part of our ongoing strategy to offer clean energy and provide customers more options to use renewable energy.”Why More Solar?
At the beginning of the year, Duke Energy promised a big push in solar energy production throughout the state. And they have been consistent in making strides toward their goal. The initial plan was set to develop 35 megawatts of clean energy by 2018; with a number of future projects hoping to drive that number up to 500 megawatts by 2024.Their efforts to develop these solar projects in North Carolina have proven that Duke certainly has the know-how, but at the end of the day, the company only owns 20 megawatts of the hundreds they’ve helped produce. However, Duke’s Florida branch has already made it clear that they intend to directly own the entirety of their 500-megawatt contribution to Florida’s solar industry.
Duke Energy’s Osceola project is due to be completed in early 2016. Similar projects will be on the way soon after. But with the current state of Florida’s solar industry and the big players involved in Tallahassee. There is no telling how the utility company’s plans might change. Either way, the interest in solar is still on the rise, and the industry no doubt has a bright future in store.