Florida sees surge of solar plants, passing up other states as FP&L unveils plans for 3 sites

(Photo of solar panels at Cape Kennedy from Flickr and photographer Marcin Wichary)

News Update 2: The Sunshine State is beginning to take advantage of its best-known natural resource. Florida Power and Light has unveiled plans for 110 megawatts of solar energy in the state, enough to power 35,000 homes, which will help Florida pass up Arizona, Nevada and other states in producing solar energy. The utility wants 3 installations, one to produce 10MW at a photovoltaic plant at Kennedy Space Center, another 25 MW in DeSoto County, and a third to make 75MW from solar thermal in Martin County. Regulators still have to approve the plans but FPL expects the plants to be up and running next year. FPL also operates the world’s largest solar thermal field, in California’s Mojave Desert. FPL’s CEO told Reuters the price of solar is coming down and is more competitive with conventional power pants. FPL also produces wind and has a wind goal of 8,000-10,000MW by 2012. The state of Florida has set a target for public utilities to produce 20% of its power from renewable sources by 2020. FPL may sell some of its new solar power to other utilities to help them meet their goals. Others are doing their part as well. The Orlando Utilities Commission is installing solar photovoltaic panels on the Orange County Convention Center, which will produce 1,500MW hours of power a year. Many credit new Republican Gov. Charlie Crist with spurring renewable activity in the state by setting goals. (Sources: Reuters PlanetArk, Greenwire)