Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL) has announced new solar energy projects, including the world's largest photovoltaic solar plant and the first hybrid energy center, which couples solar thermal technology with an existing combined-cycle generation unit.
Along with a previously announced photovoltaic solar installation at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the projects will generate 110 MW of electricity. The projects are:
- The DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center. Planned for construction to commence by year-end 2008 on FPL-owned property in DeSoto County, Fla., the DeSoto project will provide 25 MW of photovoltaic solar capacity, making it the world's largest photovoltaic solar facility.
- The Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center. Planned for construction to begin by next year at FPL's existing Martin Plant site, the Martin project will provide up to 75 MW of solar thermal capacity via an innovative hybrid design that will connect to an existing combined-cycle power plant.
- The Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center. The Space Coast project will provide 10 MW of photovoltaic solar capacity in an innovative public-private partnership. Construction is scheduled to commence by the beginning of 2009 at the Kennedy Space Center.
‘Pending regulatory approval, FPL will build 110 MW of solar power right here in the Sunshine State, making Florida number two in the nation for solar energy,’ says Lewis Hay III, FPL Group's chairman and CEO.
SOURCE: FPL
