Powered by Sunshine: Florida Leads Global Solar Energy Initiatives

The Wall Street Journal has announced that Florida Power & Light (FPL) will soon build the world's largest solar-powered battery. Slated for completion in 2021, the battery will be built in Parrish, a small community in Manatee County on Florida's Gulf Coast. The project is a huge victory for local environmental advocates who want to protect Florida's natural resources.

Eric Silagy, president and CEO of Florida Power & Light, agrees: "This is a monumental milestone in realizing the full benefits of solar power and yet another example of how FPL is working hard to position Florida as the global gold standard for clean energy."

By 2030, the goal is to have 30 million solar panels installed in the state while also exploring ways to keep the power flowing even when the sun isn't shining. For a state that gets an average of more than 50 inches of rainfall per year, innovating techniques to keep clean energy moving in all types of weather is crucial.  

What Are the Benefits of Solar Power?

Solar panels are good for the earth and your wallet. 

If you're reluctant to switch over from the electricity you're familiar with, here are a few incentives to try solar energy:

  • Reduce fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions that pollute the air and trigger respiratory conditions like asthma
  • Participate in a sustainable future with renewable energy from the sun
  • Decrease your utility bill and save up to $1,700 a year with rooftop solar panels installed on your home
  • Add value to your home: solar-paneled homes are worth up to $30,000 more than those that run on unsustainable energy
  • Lead a revolution and support Florida as a forerunner in environmental advocacy on a global scale

Temperince Morgan, executive director of the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, adds: "New technology, like large-scale battery storage, is a critical step on the path to a cleaner, cheaper and more efficient energy future. Achieving this outcome is critical to the well-being of our economy, our communities and our planet."

And even more good news out of the Sunshine State: Florida Power & Light shut down its last coal plant in 2019. Air pollution from coal power plants has been linked to acid rain, lung ailments, cancer, and neurological problems, so eliminating FPL's last standing coal plant is another major triumph. In total, the plans on the horizon for the 2020s and beyond equal a staggering reduction of 1 million tons of toxic carbon dioxide emissions, according to FPL. Talk about a bright, fresh way to enter the new decade!

How to Make the Switch to Solar Power

A cleaner environment is something we can all toast to. 

If you want to save money on your monthly bills while boosting your home's value, you can make the switch to solar power by investing in rooftop panels. The Florida sun will power your home whenever it's shining and, when it's not, you'll be covered by a fuel efficient power plant fleet. And if you rent your home, you can still reap the financial benefits through the SolarTogether program which rolled out in the fall of 2019. SolarTogether provides monthly bill credits for those enrolled in the program.

For more information on joining the solar revolution in Florida, contact FPL at 1-800-966-4875.