Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Daytona International Speedway (DIS) announced the completion of the FPL Solar Circuit, a system of more than 7,000 solar panels that generate electricity for the Speedway’s operations and FPL’s 4.8 million customer accounts when the sun is shining.
FPL Solar Pavilion at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. on February 18, 2016. Photo by Doug Murray for Clark Planning Services, Inc. for NEER.
The FPL Solar Circuit’s total generating capacity is approximately 2.1 megawatts (2,100 kilowatts), ranking the Speedway in the top five U.S. professional sports facilities for solar energy installations, according to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association.
“With innovative partners like FPL, DAYTONA Rising has transformed the Speedway into the world’s first motorsports stadium,” said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. “The FPL Solar Circuit complements the advanced technologies we’ve used to modernize the stadium and enhance the experience for race fans.”
“We’re honored to play a significant role in the redevelopment of such an iconic destination that hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors to our state each and every year and reaches millions of others around the globe,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. “This partnership with the Speedway is a shining example of Florida’s innovation and advanced economy for the world to see.”
The FPL Solar Circuit is comprised of three canopy-like structures – located at the Midway, Sprint FANZONE and Lot 10 parking area – covered with solar panels. One of the largest distributed-generation installations in Florida, FPL Solar Circuit is helping to power the Speedway’s operations and FPL’s 4.8 million customers.
The clean energy generated by the installation will prevent the emission of an estimated 2,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year – equivalent to an average vehicle driving more than 2 million laps around DIS.
The FPL Solar Circuit is also equipped with high-tech data gathering equipment that will be used as part of a multi-year research study the utility is conducting to improve the integration of solar energy and smart grid technologies.
FPL currently operates three solar power plants and numerous smaller solar installations for a total of more than 110 megawatts of solar generation in Florida today. During 2016, the company is tripling its solar capacity, adding more than 225 megawatts of new solar capacity, including: three new solar power plants; major installations at the Speedway, Florida International University and other sites; and several smaller community-based arrays.
FPL is a subsidiary of Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc., which is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. NextEra Energy Resources is the Official Renewable Energy Provider of both Daytona International Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
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