Duke Energy is testing out floating solar panels at its Hines Energy Complex in Bartow.
A total of 1,872 of solar panels are connected and anchored down, right in the middle of Duke Energy’s cooling pond.
The view from above gives you a better idea of the size — two acres catching sunlight and turning it into energy.
Project manager Shayna Fraleigh took Spectrum News around the site. She has been with the company for three years as part of its distributed energy group that focuses on renewable energy sources.
“I love the renewables projects,” Project manager Shayna Fraleigh said. “It feels good to feel like you’re making a difference. I’ve heard of floating solar mostly in other countries, but it’s very limited here in the U.S.”
“This is the first one that Duke Energy built that’s distribution connected so it was very exciting to be a part of it.”
The panels are bifacial, meaning they collects solar energy on both sides. It took six months to build and connect to the grid.