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JUNO BEACH, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - The Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) announced on Wedesday a '30-by-30' plan to install more than 30 million solar panels by 2030, which would make the state of Florida a world leader in the production of solar energy.
FPL says that they have secured solar sites throughout the state, which willl enable the company to continue to cost effectively build solar energy centers across Florida. The end result is planned to be the largest installation of solar panels by a regulated utility in the world and 67% fleet-wide reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rate by 2030 as compared to the national average.
FPL and its sister company, NextEra Energy Resources, are already the world's largest producer of renewable energy from the wind and sun. So, when this plani s completed, FPL expects to be the largest utility owner and operator of solar in America.
“FPL is not your traditional electric company,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. “We’re a technology company that delivers power, and we’ve long believed in making smart, forward-thinking infrastructure investments to produce tangible, long-term benefits – cleaner air, lower electric rates and reliable service – for our customers and our state. Now we’re taking our long-standing clean energy commitment to the next level. Bottom line, this bold, innovative plan is the right thing to do for our customers and for our fast-growing state, and we look forward to working with local and state officials and our regulators to make this vision a reality.”
“I am supportive of programs that will provide Floridians with greater access to affordable, clean energy which will help propel the State to a healthier future,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “We live in the Sunshine State and solar energy is a natural resource that should be seriously considered. FPL’s initiative is important. As Florida’s energy needs continue to grow at a rapid pace, it is important that we diversify our energy resources. This is vital to the economic well-being of our State and quality of life for residents.”
“FPL’s ‘30-by-30’ plan is a monumental commitment to the State of Florida, our clean energy progress and the economic well-being of our cities, counties and all Florida workers and residents,” said state Senator Bill Montford (D), Chairman of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
“The best part about this announcement is that we know we can trust FPL to deliver on its promise because the company has a history of overachieving when it says it will modernize Florida’s clean energy mix,” said state Senator Wilton Simpson (R), Chairman of the Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee.
FPL has also already started pairing battery storage technology at its solar power plants. The company projects to deploy a significant amount of battery storage throughout Florida by 2030.
FPL says that they plan to generate more than 40% of its electricity emissions-free by 2030, even as the state’s population continues to grow. The company’s 2030 CO2 emissions rate target represents a 67% reduction versus the 2005 U.S. electric industry average.