Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions (DESS), a non-regulated trademark of Duke Energy, announced that its largest solar power plant to date, the Texas-based 250 MW Pisgah Ridge, has commenced commercial operations.

More than 90% of the generated solar energy supplied to three companies by the Pisgah Ridge solar project via Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs). Charles River Laboratories International Inc signed for 102 MW of the project, Midwest retailer Meijer signed for 83 MW and another unnamed company has a third VPPA. All three VPPAs have a term of 15 years and are billed on an as-generated basis tied to the project’s real-time energy delivery.

“Charles River is committed to sourcing 100% of our global electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030,” said Gregg Belardo, Executive Director of EHS & Sustainability at Charles River. “Our VPPA with DESS covers our North American facilities and brings us significantly closer to that global goal. We are proud to partner with Duke Energy and excited to have Pisgah Ridge online.”

“Reducing our impact on the environment through an ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions is an issue that is important to us and our customers,” said Erik Petrovskis, Director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability at Meijer. “We’ve made significant strides over the years, but this project with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions puts us on the right track to make an even bigger impact.”

Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions currently operates nearly 1,500MW of wind, 750MW of solar and a 36MW of battery storage in Texas.

“We are excited to continue expanding our solar portfolio in Texas,” said Chris Fallon, President of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions. “This project shows how we can further expand our renewable energy resources while offering unique sustainability solutions to commercial customers.”

The engineering and construction for the project was carried out by Moss. Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions will own and operate the project.