They call it the ‘Sunshine State’ and it has plenty of sun that can be tapped and used in the form of an energy source. But the problem was that until very recently Florida just did not look in the direction of all that bright light when it came to the question of energy. Unlike California, Florida seems to have forgotten all about using the immense solar energy the state is blessed with. But that is all set to change now with the state all set to embrace the world’s largest college-based solar farm. They are surely not great believers in the ‘One little step at a time’ principle!
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Ft. Myers has been singled out by state lawmakers for an $8.5 million allocation to build a 16-acre solar farm on its campus. While the funding still needs a final OK from Governor Charlie Crist, who’s likely to approve, the money would help FGCU construct what would be the largest university-based solar farm in the world. FGCU officials plan to move forward aggressively, with plans to begin construction in October and finish by next summer. Upon completion, the state-funded solar farm is expected to provide 100 percent of the campus’ energy needs.
This goes way beyond being just an environmental ‘smart move’ as it is also a very sound economical venture for the university both in the short as well as the long run. The project alone could save the school $22 million in energy costs over the next three decades. With the energy needs of the world growing at an exponential rate, such green initiatives not only give a secure and clean future, but also take plenty of load off of the shoulders of those who produce energy from fossil fuels.
