Duke Energy Completes Bailey Mill Solar Farm
The 74.9-MW project in Jefferson County increases the utility's solar capacity to power thousands of Florida homes.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Utilities
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Duke Energy Florida has finalized construction on the 74.9-MW Bailey Mill solar park located near Monticello. This addition strengthens the utility's renewable energy portfolio as part of a wider push to expand solar generation across the state.
Why it matters
The project represents a significant step in the utility's commitment to reach a total of 5.5 GW of solar generation capacity by 2033. It also serves as a strategic move to lower long-term fuel costs for the company's regional customer base.
The Bailey Mill facility features 163,000 solar panels and is expected to provide enough electricity to power roughly 15,000 homes annually. Duke Energy Florida currently serves 2 million customers and manages 12.5 GW of total power assets.
The players
Duke Energy Florida
A major utility company that serves approximately 2 million customers across the state and manages a diverse portfolio of power generation assets.
The details
Constructed near Monticello, the solar farm joins a fleet of more than 25 existing sites operated by the utility. The company estimates that the new infrastructure will generate USD 250 million in fuel cost savings over its operational lifespan.
Timeline
May 2026: Duke Energy Florida finalized the Jumper Creek solar project.
October 2026: The utility completed the Bailey Mill solar project.
End-2028: Deadline for the completion of 11 additional solar plants.
End-2033: Target date to reach 5.5 GW of total utility-scale solar capacity.
Market Landscape
This project accelerates Duke Energy's efforts to transition its energy mix as regional utilities engage in an infrastructure race to meet growing demand. The expansion directly impacts the company's competitive standing against rival energy providers in the Southeast.
The transition to larger-scale solar generation is projected to deliver USD 250 million in fuel cost savings for the utility's customers. These operational improvements are intended to stabilize energy costs for the 2 million residents served by the company.
The takeaway
Duke Energy continues to aggressively scale its renewable footprint to hedge against volatile fuel prices. Customers can expect a long-term shift toward a cleaner energy mix as the utility moves to meet its ambitious 2033 capacity goals.
Further reading
Learn more about energy infrastructure projects in Florida Utilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Renewables Now.
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