Joint Gulf Power, Air Force project yields largest solar operation in Florida
A year after completion of the first panels on the largest solar photovoltaic arrays in Florida, a Gulf Power and military project have reached a generating capacity of 120 MW–and the ability to cut carbon emissions by 139,000 tons annually.
In all, the Gulf Coast Solar Center consists of 1.5 million solar panels split between NAS Pensacola’s Saufley Field, NAS Whiting’s Holley Field, and Eglin Air Force Base Reservation. They represent the largest solar project east of the Mississippi, and for Gulf Power’s own employees, were used as a cross-training exercise for those working in coal and natural gas generation. Those workers were on site during construction, serving as observers, liaisons and progress reporters.
“In the months since the three fields went online, they’ve been harnessing enough sun energy to be on track to meet our generating expectations to power roughly 18,000 homes annually across Northwest Florida,” Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “Our latest data shows we’re well on our way, despite the stormy weather we experienced last summer and fall. Cloudy, foggy days can impede solar generation.”
The panels have been actively feeding the grid since last summer, after a gradual activation throughout May, June, and July.
