Duke Energy Indiana plans to construct a 17MWac solar generating facility at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane for adding more clean, renewable energy to its generation mix. The facility is expected to start operating in 2016.
To consist of 76,000 solar panels, the NSA Crane project will be one of the largest solar facilities in Indiana. The power generated by the facility will be available to Duke Energy Indiana customers and the Navy will continue to purchase power from Duke Energy Indiana.
"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.
Duke Energy Indiana has signed with solar developers to purchase solar electricity from four solar power projects, totaling 20MW. Furthermore, the company cooperated with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and will invest US$ 1 million to fund research at the Battery Innovation Center near NSA Crane for studies about combination solutions between energy storage systems, rooftop solar panels, small wind turbines, and connection to power grids.
In 2015, Duke Energy partnered with the Department of the Navy to build a 13MWac solar facility at Camp Lejeune in Eastern North Carolina, which is now operational.