Duke Energy Florida is building two additional solar sites, one in Citrus County and the other in Hardee County.
Duke Energy spokesperson Ana Gibbs explained the two new solar sites.
“There's probably more similarities than there are differences, in that, this is just — not all of these solar power plants are built on mines, but just these two particular sites happen to be on the Bay Trail, which is in Citrus County," Gibbs said. "That one is on the site of a future mining location, and then Fort Green was a former phosphate mine. So, they're both examples of how we can use mining sites and develop them for renewable energy, and that's really a benefit for the communities and the environment.”
The Fort Green Power Plant will be built on approximately 500 acres in Hardee County and will power more than 20,000 average-sized homes.
Hardee County Manager Lawrence McNaul explains how excited Hardee County is for the project.
“We welcome any opportunity," McNaul said. "Being a fiscally restrained county in a kind of rural environment, we are very excited to have this opportunity."
The Bay Trail Solar Power Plant will be built on 500 acres in Citrus County, and will power approximately 23,000 average-sized homes.
“It's definitely going to be an economic boost for our county," Citrus County Commissioner Scott Carnahan said. "We welcome that.”
Duke Energy has now installed more than 1.9 million solar panels in Florida.