Florida Power & Light Company Paves the Way for the Sunshine State to Be a Clean Energy Pioneer
By Space Coast Daily // May 2, 2022
FPL announced that it has put into service eight new solar energy centers
FPL continues the largest solar expansion in America and is now nearly 50% of the way toward installing 30 million solar panels by 2025.
For Floridians, the promise of cost-effective and reliable solar energy from the grid started like a small ray of light peeking out of the clouds.
Florida Power & Light Company began exploring solar technology in South Florida in the mid-1980s, believing in an exciting, new energy future.
After decades of research and planning, Floridians got their first taste of that future in 2009, when President Barack Obama helped usher in the next era of clean energy with a large-scale solar site in DeSoto County – the largest of its kind in the U.S. at the time.
That exciting start has only led to more innovation and reduced costs for large-scale solar, creating savings for customers and an opportunity for the Sunshine State to shine.
Most recently, FPL announced that it has put into service eight new solar energy centers, adding approximately 2 million panels to its portfolio, capable of generating 596 MW of quiet, emissions-free energy – enough to power 120,000 homes annually.
The newest solar energy centers bring FPL’s overall total to 50 in operation. For perspective: the clean solar energy generated from these 50 solar energy centers can power approximately 750,000 homes.
In terms of carbon emissions, that’s equivalent to taking approximately 700,000 gas-powered cars off the road each year. This isn’t just an important milestone for residents receiving that power, it’s also a remarkable achievement for the state of Florida.
FPL is proud to help Florida pursue a cleaner energy future, and the company is on track to shatter its bold, long-term solar goals.
The company expects to complete its “30-by-30” plan to install 30 million solar panels across Florida by the end of 2025 – five years ahead of schedule. The benefits of this 30 million solar panel network extend far beyond providing cleaner energy. They will generate approximately $2.5 billion in fuel savings for residents, create more than 20,000 construction jobs and are expected to contribute more than $700 million in property taxes over their lifetime for counties across the state.
Florida is on the frontlines of climate change and frequently severe weather. As the nation’s largest utility, FPL has a responsibility to continue investing in the technology and infrastructure necessary to ensure all customers benefit from clean energy – now and in the future.
Over the next four years, FPL plans to add another 16 million solar panels across an additional 50 solar energy centers throughout the state. To provide customers with the benefits of solar energy even when the sun is not shining, the company will continue to integrate battery storage technology while researching and testing new clean energy solutions, like green hydrogen, which has the potential to someday unlock a 100% carbon-free energy future.
In addition to technological investments, FPL understands the role that the next generation plays in maintaining the trajectory of Florida’s clean energy future and is empowering the state’s next leaders through education.
The company recently unveiled a microgrid at Florida International University, supplying backup power from a solar array in the event of a severe weather outage. Likewise, the University of Central Florida’s new microgrid control lab is providing engineering students with invaluable experience simulating and testing real-life grid control operations.
Florida has come a long way in its clean energy journey, and the best part of this journey is still to come. By remaining focused on continuous improvement, and inspiring more to join this effort, Florida can achieve a fully decarbonized economy where all households and businesses are powered by renewable, dependable and affordable energy.
To learn more about Florida’s clean energy future, please visit www.fpl.com/energy-my-way/solar.html.
