MORE SOLAR POWER IS COMING
On a recent trip we noticed that there is a large solar power plant being constructed on the west side of I-95 just North of Port St. Lucie. Come to find out, it is one of four new sites being developed in Florida. The other plants are in Miami-Dade, Volusia and Columbia County. Each plant will generate 74.5 megawatts of power. Combined these four plants will have 1.2 million solar panels that are expected to generate 300 megawatts of power by the year 2020.
In Manatee County FPL plans to add an energy storage battery center to an existing solar farm that will cover 40 acres and distribute 900 megawatts of electricity. This project is expected to be on line by 2021. With this addition, FPL will be able to retire two natural gas generators. In Jacksonville, FPL has developed the largest solar – plus battery storage facility in the U.S. With that facility FPL was able to shut down two coal plants. The one remaining coal plant is expected to be shut down this year. Across the state, FPL operates a total of 14 major solar power plants with more than 200 smaller sites for a total of 935 megawatts of power.
Looking up, Pompano Beach, for example, has 30 million sq feet of industrial rooftop space which is over 650 acres of potential space for solar panels. Many of these buildings have air conditioning equipment, antennas and other items that would share the space on the roofs. So if you use half of the space for your calculation you would still be able to generate more than 54 megawatts of power. Currently, FPL is not looking to install rooftop systems.
They do have programs for individuals that install their own systems where they will buy back your unused power, called Net Metering. I am sure the technology will still be evolving for many years to come. I believe we are on the right path with renewable energy however, we need to give these new technologies time to evolve.
Al is a State Licensed Electrical Contractor and owner of Al Siefert Electric. The articles he writes are about items of interest and questions from his customers. Please call Al if you have questions concerning electric service, installation, and repair.
(954) 493-9411
