Solar

Duke Energy begins operating Idaho’s largest solar plant

Idaho is ranked 28th among U.S. states in solar installed with 630 MW, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Duke Energy begins operating Idaho’s largest solar plant
A look at the 120 MW Jackpot Solar project. (Source: Duke Energy).

Idaho’s largest solar plant is now commercially operable.

This is Duke Energy’s first utility-scale renewable energy project in the Potato State.

The 120 MW Jackpot Solar project will provide energy to Idaho Power through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

SOLV Energy completed the engineering and construction of the project, located on 952 rural acres south of the city of Twin Falls. Duke will own and operate the project.

Duke Energy’s current generation mix includes more than 10,000 MW of solar and wind energy. Duke Energy has set a goal of reaching 16,000 MW of renewables by 2025 and 47,000 MW by 2050.

In a February 2022 call with investors, Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good said the utility plans to double its renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade, and stop generating electricity from coal by 2035.

Duke has retired 56 coal units for a total of 7.5 GW of capacity since 2010, Good said. The utility will spend around $4 billion on hydrogen-enabled natural gas generation to better ensure reliability in the absence of coal.

Idaho is ranked 28th among U.S. states in solar installed with 630 MW, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

At 108 MW, Grandview PV Solar Two is one of the largest solar projects in Idaho. It was installed in 2016.

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