Eco Factor: Solar power plant capable of generating 110MW of electrical power.
Florida Power & Light Company has announced that its DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida, is nearing completion and should be generating electricity by the end of this month – ahead of schedule. The plant is comprised of 90,000 photovoltaic panels and is expected to generate about 110MW of electricity by the end of 2010, which will make Florida the second largest solar power-producing state in the country.
Constructed in less than a year, the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center will use its 90,000 photovoltaic panels to turn the sun’s rays into electricity to power more than 3,000 homes.
Over the past year, the facility benefited the local economy in DeSoto County by creating more than 400 jobs during construction. The county will also receive annual tax revenues that will amount to $2 million for schools and other local services by the end of next year.
Solar photovoltaic power also provides significant environmental benefits because the facility consumes no fuel, uses no water and produces no waste. Over the life of the facility, the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center will avoid the release of more than 575,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to taking more than 4,500 cars off the road every year. In addition, the electricity generated by this facility will reduce the use of fossil fuels in Florida by more than 277,000 barrels of oil and 7 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
Via: FPL [Press Release]
