Bailey Mill Solar Center opens in Jefferson County to power 15,000 homes

Duke Energy Florida has completed a new solar facility near Monticello that the utility estimates will save customers $250 million in fuel costs over its operating lifetime.The Bailey Mill Solar Center in Jefferson County has approximately 163,000 panels and a generating capacity of 74.9 megawatts. At peak production, it can produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of about 15,000 homes, according to Duke.Projected savings on fuelDuke said electricity generated by the solar facility will reduce the amount of fuel, including natural gas, it needs to purchase for other power plants.Fuel costs are passed through to customers on their bills. The $250 million estimate represents projected fuel savings over the facility’s lifetime, rather than an immediate reduction in customer bills.“The launch of Bailey Mill is another step toward lowering long-term energy costs for our customers,” Duke Energy Florida President Melissa Seixas said in a statement.More solar projects plannedDuke sa