ENERGY
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TCBusiness.com
“With 18 solar plants in operation and
10 more on the way, we’re adding even
more emissions-free power to one of
the cleanest systems in the nation, while
consistently keeping our customers’ bills
among the lowest in the nation.”
The second Martin County site, included
in the 2020 list of new installations, is FPL
Sweetbay Solar Energy Center, located off
Allapattah Road.
St. Lucie County has two solar farms. The
first to go on line was Loggerhead Solar
Energy Center, which is located off Glades
Cut-off Road. Next to be completed was
the Interstate Solar Energy Center which is
visible to travelers on I-95 with its location
along the west side of the interstate near
the Indrio Road interchange.
FPL is currently seeking a variance for
use of a property off Minute Maid Road in
western St. Lucie County that will become
Pelican Solar Energy Center once the site is
approved and the solar panels are installed.
Unique to the Blue Cypress Solar Energy
Center and the Indian River Solar Center,
both of which are located in Indian River
County, are the flocks of sheep that wander
around the sites working as a natural
vegetative maintenance system.
“We looked at cows, but they were too
big, and the goats were too destructive,”
says Heiman. “It started as a pilot project,
as we were looking for a way to maintain
the vegetative growth. So, we settled on
sheep. It’s not so much the chewing of the
grass, but the walking around, stamping
the grass down that works.”
The sheep keep the taller grasses from
shadowing on the panels, he says, noting
that a company on the west coast of
Florida provides the animals.
Heiman says that with the 10 new centers
that are planned, including the solar
energy center in Okeechobee, the company
is on track to install three million solar
panels this year, moving forward toward
completion of the “30-by-30” program to
install 30 million solar panels throughout
the state by 2030.
“We are rapidly increasing our company’s
solar presence, largely due to
the declining cost of solar technology,
because it has to make financial sense for
customers,” Heiman says. “We look for land
that is flat and clear that is close to our existing
transmission lines. This helps make
these projects cost-effective. These sites
will generate millions of dollars in savings
above and beyond the initial investment
over their lifetime, savings that will be
passed on to our customers, keeping our
power rates, which are already among the
lowest in the nation, down long term.
“Nuclear, natural gas and solar are our
three main sources of power. It is a steady,
efficient way to provide our customers
with round-the-clock power with an emissions
profile that is 30 percent cleaner
than the national average (for power
companies).”
LOCAL WORKERS
When FPL began its development of solar
farms in St. Lucie County, commissioners
Indian River County
is home to two solar
farms. This aerial view
of Indian River Solar
Energy Center shows
the set-up of the
operation. FPL aims
to have 30 million
solar panels installed
throughout the state
by 2030.
requested the power company work
with Indian River State College to provide
training for local workers seeking jobs as
installers on these solar farms.
Tom Kindred, regional director of the
Florida Small Business Development Center
at IRSC, says the college has operated
a short-term program for workers in this
field through its Corporate and Community
Training Institute.
“We did a six-week training class for FPL,
training students how to install the solar
panels,” Kindred says. “We have run it multiple
times. They were trained to work with
subcontractors working with FPL and also
for some small business installers, too.”
FPL, in keeping with its plan of lower
energy costs and cleaner emissions, has
implemented a couple of other programs
over the years:
• Solar for Schools began in 2013 and
has produced solar arrays at more than
100 schools and non-profit educational
centers across the state. The use of solar
power at the schools and centers helps
keep the cost of electricity down.
• SolarNow, which permits FPL customers
to contribute to community-type solar
installations, began in 2015. The Young
at Art Museum in Davie was the first such
installation. An educational display at
the museum presents information on the
panels, the impact of weather and how
much electricity is produced. In addition,
solar panels can now be found on the
grounds and roofs of several community
facilities. v
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