Duke Energy to start first solar power plant; buys juwi/First Solar ‘Blue Wing Solar’ project

Jan 25, 2010 - Mark Osborne - PV-tech.org

A 16MW solar power plant under development by juwi solar, using 214,500 ground-mounted cadmium-telluride thin-film PV panels from First Solar, has been acquired by Duke Energy. The ‘Blue Wing Solar’ project in San Antonio, Texas, which was originally planned to begin construction in the first quarter of 2010, with completion and grid connection by the end of 2010, is unchanged. CPS Energy will be the customer, also unchanged. The Blue Wing projects will be the first commercial solar power project Duke Energy will own and operate.

"Demand for power from renewable resources continues to rise," said Keith Trent, Group Executive and President of Duke Energy's Commercial Businesses. "Our entry into the commercial solar power industry reaffirms Duke Energy's commitment to generating emissions-free electricity for customers."

Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS), a Duke Energy Commercial Businesses unit that owns and develops renewable power assets, will purchase the Blue Wing Solar Project from juwi solar. Financial details were not disclosed.