Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) announced a groundbreaking “30-by-30” plan to install more than 30 million solar panels by 2030 to make the state of Florida a world leader in the production of solar energy.
FPL has secured solar sites throughout the state, which will allow the company to continue to cost-effectively build solar energy centers across Florida. This plan will capture economies of scale and promote the construction of efficient and cost-effective solar generation. The end result will be the largest installation of solar panels by a regulated utility in the world and a 67% fleet-wide reduction in CO2 emissions rate by 2030, as compared to the national average.
“FPL is not your traditional electric company,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. “We’re a technology company that delivers power, and we’ve long believed in making smart, forward-thinking infrastructure investments to produce tangible, long-term benefits—cleaner air, lower electric rates and reliable service—for our customers and our state. Now we’re taking our long-standing clean energy commitment to the next level. Bottom line, this bold, innovative plan is the right thing to do for our customers and for our fast-growing state, and we look forward to working with local and state officials and our regulators to make this vision a reality.”
When this plan is completed, FPL expects to be the largest utility owner-operator of solar in North America. FPL also will be making investments in battery storage technology that will extend the use of clean, affordable solar energy.
“I am supportive of programs that will provide Floridians with greater access to affordable, clean energy which will help propel the State to a healthier future,” said governor Ron DeSantis. “We live in the Sunshine State, and solar energy is a natural resource that should be seriously considered. FPL’s initiative is important. As Florida’s energy needs continue to grow at a rapid pace, it is important that we diversify our energy resources. This is vital to the economic well-being of our state and quality of life for residents.”
FPL already has begun pairing battery storage technology at its solar power plants. Future technology is planned to increase the capacity and cost-effectiveness of batteries, making them a vital part of the company’s future. As a result, the company projects to deploy a significant amount of battery storage throughout Florida by 2030.
“The best part about this announcement is that we know we can trust FPL to deliver on its promise because the company has a history of overachieving when it says it will modernize Florida’s clean energy mix,” said state senator Wilton Simpson, chairman of the Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee.
FPL’s planned renewable energy generation and storage, combined with its nuclear power plants in St. Lucie and Miami-Dade counties, is projected to generate more than 40% of its electricity emissions-free by 2030, even as the state’s population—the third highest in the nation—continues to grow. The company’s 2030 CO2 emissions rate target represents a 67% reduction versus the 2005 U.S. electric industry average.
“FPL and NextEra Energy Resources have been at the forefront of advancing affordable clean energy for decades,” Silagy said. “It’s why our customers enjoy electricity that is among the cleanest and most reliable in the country for a price more than 30% below the national average. That said, we’re not satisfied with the status quo and understand that our customers expect even more from us as energy experts and industry leaders. It’s why we’re reimagining the way we serve our customers and challenging ourselves to find even more innovative ways to do what’s best for Florida and the nation.”
News item from Florida Power & Light Company
Tell Us What You Think!