Companies across the nation continue to determine new ways to reduce their carbon footprint and they are setting lofty goals to get there. This is no different for Duke Energy, a leading public utility in the Southeast US. They are on track to have 16,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025 and the company is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future – with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Amongst Duke Energy’s most recent projects is the Hildreth Solar Power Plant that Mortenson constructed on 635 acres in Suwannee County, Florida.
“To have the opportunity to pursue work with Duke Energy, as they expand their solar generation portfolio in Florida is very rewarding,” said Mandar Belurkar, project executive at Mortenson. “Our team is proud of our achievements on this project, and we look forward to future opportunities to build for Duke Energy, as both of our companies strive to lead in the renewable industry.”
The 74.9 MW Hildreth Solar Power Plant consists of approximately 220,000 single-axis tracking bifacial solar panels. Bi-facial solar modules are a double-sided design – able to generate electricity from the solar rays on either side of the module -- that is highly efficient, and the single-axis tracker moves with the sun to keep that module aligned to further improve its energy production. The completed Hildreth plant can produce enough electricity to power approximately 23,000 average-sized homes at peak production.
Duke Energy confirms their continuing commitment to the future1:
Mortenson’s Solar Energy Group values its relationship with Duke Energy and looks forward to seeing them reach their clean energy goals.
