Florida Power & Light, Audubon Florida partner to promote environmental stewardship at solar sites

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Audubon Florida recently announced a new partnership to design and implement environmental enhancements at FPL solar sites that will provide habitats for native plants, birds and pollinators such as bumblebees and butterflies.

Through the Solar Sanctuary program, FPL and Audubon Florida are working with the Florida Wildflower Foundation, Florida Native Plant Society, Wildlife Habitat Council, local Audubon chapters and others to transform solar into sanctuaries with dedicated conservation areas.

FPL plans to install more than 2.5 million solar panels at eight new solar power plants in Florida that will enter operation in 2018. The design of these new sites will allow a significant portion of the land to be planted with native grasses, trees, shrubs and vines chosen For their ability to provide food for birds and pollinators. FPL will also preserve wetlands, which also provide habitat for birds.

“We are proud to partner with Audubon and other dedicated environmental groups on this wonderful project,” Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL, said. “When Audubon Florida approached us with this idea, we knew it was something our company wanted to be a part of. We are firm believers in the notion that amazing things can happen when non-profits and the private sector work together constructively, and I believe this project will set a great example for others to follow.”