MIAMI - As Miami prepares to be on the world stage with the Big Game less than a week away, the millions who fly into Miami International Airport will now be greeted with a new landmark showcasing the area's commitment to innovation and clean energy.
Today, Florida Power & Light Company President and CEO Eric Silagy and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez launched a half-acre, 402-panel floating solar installation into the waters of the Blue Lagoon adjacent to the airport.
Visible from planes flying overhead as well as to drivers along the 836 West/Dolphin Expressway, the solar array generates 160 kilowatts of power and prevents 165 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The array will double as a test bed for cutting-edge solar research, particularly the performance of solar panels on water.
'We're working to make Florida a world leader in solar generation with 18 solar plants in operation, 10 more coming online this year and a bold plan to install 30 million panels across the state by 2030,' said Silagy. 'This unique project will add to our solar expertise as we relentlessly explore new ways to deliver more affordable clean energy to our customers. Importantly, the solar array demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together toward a common goal.'
'Miami-Dade County sets a new course with the first-ever floating solar array at an airport,' said Gimenez. 'This is another great example of the long-standing partnership and like-minded vision between FPL and Miami-Dade County that cements our joint commitment to ensuring our community's resilient future through smart planning and unprecedented innovation.'
FPL and Miami-Dade County continue to partner on clean energy projects throughout the community. Last year, the FPL Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center, located in the southwest part of the county, began generating enough solar energy to power 15,000 homes. In addition to the large solar plant, FPL has built numerous smaller solar installations throughout Miami-Dade County in urban areas that generate clean energy and raise awareness for solar technology.
Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest energy company in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, serving more than 5 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million+ people across the state of Florida. FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30% lower than the latest national average and among the lowest in the U.S. FPL's service reliability is better than 99.98%, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all electric companies nationwide. The company was recognized in 2018 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International for the fifth consecutive year. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,700 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune's 2019 list of 'World's Most Admired Companies.' NextEra Energy is also the parent company of Gulf Power Company, which serves more than 460,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage.
Contact:
Tel: 561-694-4442
Email: Media.Relations@FPL.com
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