Florida Power & Light installs first battery storage components in 409 MW Manatee Energy Storage Center

What will soon become the largest solar-powered battery storage facility on earth, the Manatee Energy Storage Center in Parrish, Florida, gained its first battery components last week, care of crews from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).

Manatee will boast a 409 MW output when online, capable of providing 900 MW hours of capacity. The new battery storage container added last week is one of 132 units that will be installed when complete, each consisting of approximately 400 battery modules. These will be responsible for storing the extra solar energy produced by the neighboring FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center to tap for periods of high demand.

“This innovative and world record-breaking battery is yet another example of how FPL executes on bold ideas to continue delivering customers America’s best energy value – electricity that’s not just clean and reliable, but also affordable,” FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy said. “Energy storage is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to building on our rapid solar expansion and delivering a brighter, more sustainable energy future that all of us can depend on, including the next generation.”

Presently, FPL maintains 41 solar energy centers across its service area, with more under construction. It intends to generate nearly 40 percent of its power from zero-emissions energy sources by 2030.

– The FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center is expected to have a 409-megawatt (MW) capacity, delivering 900 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy – enough to power approximately 329,000 homes for more than two hours.