Duke Energy Acquires 60 MW Solar Project From Juwi in Colorado

The project will generate enough energy to power approximately 19,00 homes per year in Colorado

Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of North Carolina-based Duke Energy, has acquired the development assets associated with the 60 MW Palmer Solar project in El Paso County, Colorado, from juwi Americas, a renewable energy company based in Boulder.

The project, which contains more than 200,000 solar panels, is being built on land south of Colorado Springs. With this addition, Duke Energy Renewables has two solar projects in Colorado totaling more than 70 MW.

“We’re pleased to continue expanding our solar footprint in Colorado,” said Rob Caldwell, president of Duke Energy Renewables. “The Palmer Solar project is another positive step toward Gov. Polis’ dedication to moving the state’s electric grid to 100% renewable sources by 2040.”

The Palmer Solar project is being developed in partnership with Colorado Springs Utilities, whose customers will receive the energy the facility generates under a 20-year agreement. This is the largest solar project contracted by the utility to date and the first solar project to interconnect with its transmission system.

“We are committed to offering our customers a clean, more diverse and affordable energy portfolio to power homes and businesses,” said Aram Benyamin, Colorado Springs Utilities CEO. “The Palmer Solar project is one of the latest examples of how we are partnering with entities to change the way we power Colorado Springs, taking advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of solar power.”

The project will generate enough energy to power approximately 19,000 homes per year.

Duke entered into an engineering, construction, and procurement (EPC) agreement with juwi for the construction of the project. juwi, through its subsidiary JSI Construction Group, is overseeing the construction of the project, which began in the first quarter of 2019. Construction of the project is expected to be complete by the end of the year.