Florida Power & Light constructing a record 16 new solar energy centers across state

Florida Power & Light Company announced Monday that it is currently simultaneously constructing 16 new solar energy centers across Florida, a company record.

Previously, in the fall of 2020, the company had a peak of 14 simultaneous solar energy center construction projects.

“We are cementing Florida as a national leader in solar energy as we continue the largest solar buildout in the country – providing our customers with clean, reliable, and affordable energy,” said FPL Chairman and CEO Eric Silagy. “This is an important milestone for our communities, the economy, and the environment. Generating cost-effective solar energy is an integral piece of our Real Zero goal – to eliminate carbon emissions and create an even more resilient and sustainable energy future for our customers.”

FPL said the new solar facilities will add an estimated 3.1 million solar panels to the state, with several supporting FPL SolarTogether – the company’s community solar program. Centers are under construction from Bay County to Washington County, including three in Calhoun County and one in Miami-Dade County.

The construction projects are expected to create up to 4,000 solar jobs across the state, with 200 to 250 workers at each site during peak construction. Additionally, the company estimates each solar energy center will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in local tax revenues each year.

The construction projects will help the company meet NextEra Energy’s, its parent company, goals of eliminating carbon emissions from its power plant fleet by 2045. FPL will install 90,000 MW of solar energy in Florida as part of that plan. Combined with other efforts, such as the expansion of battery storage, natural gas plants running on green hydrogen, and continued use of nuclear power generation, the moves will provide zero emissions, as well as reliable and affordable electricity to customers. Economic studies indicate reaching the company’s goals could create up to 150,000 jobs and add $15 billion to Florida’s gross domestic product through 2045.