Duke Energy Brings New Solar Plant Online in Hernando County

Duke Energy Florida completed the Rattler Renewable Energy Center in Hernando County as part of a dual launch on December 10, 2025 that also included the Half Moon Renewable Energy Center in Sumter County. Each facility produces 74.9 megawatts of clean energy, contributing a combined 149.8 megawatts to the regional grid during the first phase of an agreement with the Florida Public Service Commission.

Company estimates place the potential customer savings from these newly commissioned sites at up to $500 million, a result of solar generation offsetting fuel burning generation such as natural gas. Fuel costs are directly passed through to customers on their bills, so adding solar capacity can reduce exposure to volatile fuel markets that drive short term bill swings.

The Rattler site is the opening installment in a larger program to add 12 new solar facilities between 2025 and 2027. Duke Energy Florida projects the full 12 site build out will deliver 900 megawatts of capacity and produce roughly $3 billion in customer savings over the service lives of those assets. These additions supplement more than 30 existing solar sites in Florida that together contribute about 1,700 megawatts to the system.

For Hernando County residents the immediate impact is a measurable increase in locally available clean generation capacity. The 74.9 megawatts from Rattler will reduce reliance on fuel dependent generation during daylight hours and should blunt some upward pressure on bills tied to natural gas price spikes. Over time the plant will also help diversify the county and region electric supply mix, a factor that can improve grid resilience as demand patterns change.

From a market and policy perspective the project illustrates utilities shifting investment toward renewable generation to manage fuel cost exposure and meet regulatory expectations. The timetable for the remaining 10 plants through 2027 sets a multi year window in which further capacity and cumulative customer savings will materialize. Residents can expect future announcements as the next facilities come online and as the program begins to affect monthly bills and local energy planning.