Duke Energy has signed a real estate out grant with the US Department of Navy (DON) to construct a 24MW direct current (DC) (17MW alternating current) solar facility at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane, Indiana.
The company has requested a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
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Following approval, the firm will construct and assume the responsibility of operation and maintenance of the solar facility.
The facility will feature an estimated 76,000 solar panels, constructed on roughly 145acres in the southeast portion of the naval base, which makes it reportedly the one of the largest solar facilities in the state.
The energy generated at the facility will flow to the external grid for consumption by Duke Energy’s customers.
In exchange, the Navy will be provided with in-kind considerations in the form of electrical infrastructure upgrades and equipments that will allow access to the solar power as a back-up to continue mission-critical operations during black-outs.
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By GlobalDataNSA Crane commanding officer Timothy Craddock said: "This project exhibits the DON’s commitment to renewable energy.
"Likewise, it helps solidify Crane’s longevity as a community partner, providing local and regional energy security through diversified energy sources."
The plan, which aims to procure cleaner, renewable energy for the state, is scheduled to commence in early 2016 and anticipate grid connection by the year’s end.
This facility is the second such project on which the DON and Duke Energy have collaborated. In July, both parties partnered to build a 17MW DC solar facility at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, US.
Image: An image of a solar panel by Duke Energy. Photo: courtesy of Duke Energy Corporation.
