Solar Energy
Solar installation projects are one way Duke Energy is working to bring additional renewable power to our customers. Our solar projects are part of our on-going commitment to study solar power as a viable renewable energy source.
SunEdison Solar Project
In May 2008, Duke Energy announced it will purchase the entire electricity output of the nation’s largest photovoltaic solar farm, which is being planned for Davidson County, N.C. Under a 20-year agreement signed with SunEdison, Duke Energy should begin receiving power from the 16-megawatt facility no later than December 2010. Construction is expected to begin in 2009.
Bloomington Solar Panel Project
Duke Energy began its first solar initiative in 2004 when an 8-kilowatt photovoltaic panel was installed at our customer service center in Bloomington, Indiana. The solar panel is connected to Duke Energy power lines and provides a small amount of renewable energy directly to our customers.
From 2004 to 2007, the installation served as a research project. Data collected from this project helped Duke Energy determine performance issues relating to temperature, shadowing, system design and system aging. The research showed that solar output trails off significantly before the system load peaks in the afternoon.
Bloomington EverGreen Village Project
EverGreen Village is a 12-unit subdivision being developed by the city of Bloomington, Indiana’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department as a green-built, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Pilot project targeted for homeowners who are at or below 80% area median income. This community will be designed with state-of-the-art environmental friendly systems. Duke Energy funded the purchase and installation of 2-kilowatt solar panels for each home, making the homes very cost effective to operate. The project began in 2006 and is projected for completion in 2008.
Kokomo Dual Solar Project
In July 2007, Duke Energy began operating two sets of photovoltaic projects at our Kokomo, Indiana office. This installation incorporates one stationary panel and an identically sized pivoting panel that tracks the sun from east to west. The panels are being monitored to compare output of the two systems. The pivoting panel is expected to produce more kilowatt hours during the day and have higher output late in the afternoon when the system load peaks.
Energy created by the panels is used to help power the Kokomo office – reducing the amount of electricity generated by non-renewable sources.
Duke Energy has teamed up with Fat Spaniel Technologies to make our Kokomo solar monitoring results available to the public.
Solar Power and Education
Duke Energy has supported two educational energy projects in Greater Cincinnati, the sponsors of which are seeking certification by the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) based on their installation of 20-kilowatt photovoltaic systems.
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden’s new Education Center and the Kenton County (Kentucky) School’s new Twenhofel Middle School received support from Duke Energy for their photovoltaic installations, which serve as a learning source for renewable energy for the school children in our region.
Duke Energy also has installed photovoltaic systems at 10 Indiana schools to raise awareness of solar power among future generations. The photovoltaic systems are connected to Duke Energy power lines and capable of producing about 2,000 kilowatt-hours a year.
Each system serves as a hands-on demonstration of solar energy at work. Using a computerized performance monitoring station, students can monitor the amount of electricity as it is generated as well as weather conditions affecting power production.
Since 2005, Duke Energy has donated over 470 solar panels in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. The 115-watt Evergreen Solar panels are purchased by Duke Energy and donated for applications in high visibility areas, particularly sites with an educational component.
