100 MW Solar Power Plant Online In Texas

Andrews County in Texas has become host to what Duke Energy calls as the region’s first large-scale solar project with 100 MW (AC) capacity. The Lapetus Solar Project was acquired by the US utility through its renewable energy arm, Duke Energy Renewables and it has now been commissioned.

The project was developed by 7X that sold it to Duke Energy Renewables in February 2019 (see 3.9 GW Bids For 680 MW Duke Energy Solar Tender). Power generated from more than 340,000 solar panels is contracted to be sold under three multi-year power purchase agreements (PPA) with Brazos Electric Power Cooperative on behalf of CoServ Electric and seven other distribution cooperative members.

Swinerton Renewable Energy provided EPC services and Duke Energy Renewables completed project development and will also operate and maintain the facility.

In addition Duke Energy Florida,a subsidiary of Duke Energy, also announced the location of two solar power plants each with 74.9 MW capacity, with Twin Rivers Solar Power Plant to be built in Hamilton County and Santa Fe Solar Power Plant in Columbia County in the state. Ground breaking on both sites is scheduled for March 2020 and completion for later this year.

Two more projects with 74.9 MW capacity each from its portfolio are expected to be commissioned by April and June 2020.

Duke Energy Florida also completed 45 MW Lake Placid solar project in Highlands County, and 74.9 MW Trenton PV facility in December 2019. 

Late last year, Innergex Renewable Energy brought online a 315 MW DC/250 MW AC solar farm in Winkler County of Texas, calling it the ‘largest’ operational solar farm in Texas (see 315 MW ‘Largest’ Operational Solar Farm In Texas Online).