FPL commits to solar power plants

MIAMI — Florida Power & Light Co. has announced new solar energy projects that include the world’s largest photovoltaic solar plant and first “hybrid” plant that will couple solar thermal technology with a fossil fuel powered plant already in use.

“Pending regulatory approval, FPL will build 110 megawatts of solar power right here in the Sunshine State, making Florida No. 2 in the nation for solar energy,” FPL Group Chairman and CEO Lewis Hay III said, speaking at the 2008 Florida Summit on Global Climate Change in Miami.

“This is made possible in part by the strong support and determined leadership of Gov. Crist and the Florida Legislature, who crafted a progressive energy bill that put a supportive policy framework in place for solar power,” Hay said.

Along with plans for a solar generator at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the projects will generate 110 megawatts of electricity. The projects are:

— A 25-megawatt photovoltaic plant in DeSoto County that is scheduled to be under construction by the end of the year. The plant will be the largest of its kind in the world, according to FPL.

— A 75-megawatt solar thermal plant in Martin County that will be combined with a traditional fossil fuel plant. When there’s enough sun, the solar thermal generator will replace a portion of the fossil fuels burned at the plant. It’s set to be under construction by early 2009.

— A 10-megawatt photovoltaic plant to be built at the Kennedy Space Center early next year.

FPL last fall committed to producing 300 megawatts of electricity from solar power in Florida within seven years. The three projects puts the company a third of the way toward meeting that target.