Duke Energy has announced plans to construct a 17-megawatt solar facility at Naval Support Activity Crane, a 76,000 solar panel project that is expected to be operational in 2016.
Pending the approval of a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, Duke's self-owned and operated solar facility will connect to the electric grid at a Duke Energy Indiana-owned substation located at Crane. Just 40 miles southwest of Bloomington, the roughly 145 acre solar facility will be one of the largest in the state, according to a Duke press release.
"This project further advances our commitment to bring more renewable energy to our customers and we are pleased to again be working with the Department of the Navy," said Melody Birmingham-Byrd, president of Duke Energy Indiana, in a press release.
Should the Commission approve Duke's certificate, this facility will be the second solar project for Duke Energy in its partnership with the Department of the Navy. A 13-megawatt facility at Camp Lejeune in eastern North Carolina was announced in 2015, and is now operational. Other Duke Energy Indiana solar development agreements include the purchase of up to 20 megawatts of solar power at four Indiana locations. Two of those locations in Vigo and Clay counties are operational, while two other facilities are scheduled for commercial service in 2016.
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