Florida Power & Light Projects Will Turn Sunshine State into Solar Powerhouse

Energy Resource,  July 15, 2008  

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ENERGY RESOURCE-15 July 2008-Florida Power & Light Projects Will Turn Sunshine State into Solar Powerhouse(C)2008 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

Florida Power & Light Company today received approval from the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to begin construction of three solar energy centers that will make Florida the second-largest supplier of utility-generated solar power in the nation.

"Today's decision by the PSC represents a major step forward in making Florida a leader in solar power generation. At a time of record-setting fossil fuel prices and concern over global climate change, solar power helps to meet the goals of protecting the environment and enhancing Florida's energy security. Governor Crist and the state legislature set a goal of increasing renewable energy in Florida, and as a clean energy company we are committed to playing a meaningful role in this endeavor," said FPL President Armando J. Olivera.

Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature approved and the Governor signed into law a comprehensive energy bill which provided for the development of renewable energy, subject to PSC approval. FPL, a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc., presented a proposal to the PSC for three solar energy centers that includes the world's largest photovoltaic solar array and the first "hybrid" energy center that will couple solar thermal technology with an existing natural gas combined-cycle generation unit.

The projects are:

-- The DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center. Planned for construction on FPL-owned property in DeSoto County, Fla., the DeSoto project will provide 25 megawatts of photovoltaic solar capacity, making it the world's largest photovoltaic solar facility. DeSoto is expected to be in service by December 2009.

-- The Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center. Planned for construction at FPL's existing Martin Plant site, the Martin project will provide up to 75 megawatts of solar thermal capacity in an innovative "hybrid" design that will connect to an existing combined-cycle power plant. It is the world's first project to integrate solar thermal steam generation into a combined-cycle steam turbine. When the power of the sun is being harnessed to produce electricity from steam, less natural gas is required. The Martin facility is expected to be on-line at the end of 2009 and completed by 2010.

-- The Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center. Planned for construction at the Kennedy Space Center, the Space Coast project will provide 10 megawatts of photovoltaic solar capacity in a public-private partnership. Space Coast Solar will be operating by the first quarter of 2010.

For more information, visit www.fpl.com/solar.

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