Duke Building 87 Solar PV Facility, United States

Duke Building 87 is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United States, with an operational capacity of 2.7 megawatts (MW). The plant is owned by Half Moon Ventures LLC and is currently operational, adding to the nation's portfolio of renewable energy assets. The facility is situated at coordinates 39.8908° N, 86.2556° W, placing it in the Midwest region. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States, which includes the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and various state-level Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and at 2.7 MW, this plant is considered small-scale compared to utility-scale solar farms that often exceed 100 MW. The plant's capacity is typical for commercial or industrial rooftop installations, likely serving on-site energy needs or feeding into the local grid. As a solar PV installation, Duke Building 87 contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Solar energy has minimal operational environmental impact, though land use and visual impacts can be considerations. The facility supports grid integration of renewables and helps meet state renewable energy targets. Its location in the Midwest benefits from moderate solar insolation, and the plant plays a role in diversifying the region's energy mix.

Solar PV installations like Duke Building 87 have a low environmental footprint during operation, producing no emissions or water consumption. However, land use for solar arrays can impact local ecosystems and agriculture. In the Midwest, solar development must balance with agricultural land preservation. The facility's small scale minimizes visual and land-use impacts, and it supports the transition to cleaner energy in a region historically reliant on fossil fuels.