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Duke Energy Completes its First Floating Solar Project in Florida

Duke Energy’s first floating solar project in Florida is now producing clean, renewable energy. The almost 1-megawatt floating solar array features over 1,800 solar panels that float on top of 2 acres of water surface on an existing cooling pond at the Duke Energy Hines Energy Complex in Bartow. 
Duke Energy Completes its First Floating Solar Project in Florida
Courtesy of Duke Energy

The bifacial solar panels absorb light from both sides, which can produce 10%-20% more power than their single-sided counterparts.

Crews assembled the module floating system on land in segments before securing it with anchors in the water. The project took approximately six months to construct and connect to the grid.

The pilot is part of Duke Energy's Vision Florida program, which is designed to test innovative projects such as green hydrogen, hydrogen produced from sources other than fossil fuels, and various battery energy storage technologies.

Last month, the company announced plans to build a one-of-its-kind green hydrogen production and storage system connected to its existing solar site in Volusia County.

“We are committed to building a smarter, cleaner energy future for our customers, while continuing to look for ways to maintain affordability and reliability,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.

“By exploring alternative solutions on a smaller scale and on our own property, we are maximizing the space and expanding our use and knowledge of innovative emission free technologies that will move us forward on our path to net-zero carbon emissions.”

Duke Energy has been advancing solar technologies in Florida since the late 1980s. The company plans to have 25 grid-tied solar power plants in operation in 2024. The sites will provide about 1,500 MW of emission-free generation and benefit all of the company's 1.9 million Florida customers.

As a result of the company's continued commitment to solar investments, Duke Energy is already passing approximately $56 million of corporate tax savings annually to Florida customers from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Baterías con premio en la gran feria europea del almacenamiento de energía
El jurado de la feria ees (la gran feria europea de las baterías y los sistemas acumuladores de energía) ya ha seleccionado los productos y soluciones innovadoras que aspiran, como finalistas, al gran premio ees 2021. Independientemente de cuál o cuáles sean las candidaturas ganadoras, la sola inclusión en este exquisito grupo VIP constituye todo un éxito para las empresas. A continuación, los diez finalistas 2021 de los ees Award (ees es una de las cuatro ferias que integran el gran evento anual europeo del sector de la energía, The smarter E).