Website shows near real-time solar generation and associated environmental benefits

ORLANDO, Fla., April 22, 2021 – Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) launched a new website today that enables the public to view near real-time solar power output from the agency’s solar energy centers along with the associated environmental benefits.

FMPA partnered with 16 municipal electric utilities in Florida to create the Florida Municipal Solar Project, one of the largest municipal-back projects of its type.

“We’re excited to show the benefits of our cities’ investment in solar power,” said FMPA General Manager and CEO Jacob Williams. “This solar project is the most economical way for our cities and their customers to get solar energy, and we are proud to show them the environmental benefits created through our efforts.”

The Harmony Solar Energy Center located in St. Cloud, Fla., and the Taylor Creek Solar Energy Center in east Orange County near Wedgefield are the first two operating solar sites in the project. The two solar sites provide clean, emissions-free energy to six Florida cities, including Fort Pierce, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Ocala and Orlando.

Since coming online in June 2020, the two solar sites have generated nearly 300,000 megawatt hours, enough energy to power approximately 38,000 homes per year. The sites have also reduced carbon emissions equivalent to:

• Eliminating approximately 210,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide
• Taking more than 45,000 vehicles off the road annually
• Planting approximately 3.5 million trees in 10 years

The project will add three more solar farms in 2023 for a total of 1.5 million solar panels that will generate nearly 375 megawatts.

The 16 local utilities that will purchase power from the project include: Alachua, Bartow, Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Havana, Homestead, Keys Energy Services (Key West), Kissimmee Utility Authority, Lake Worth Beach, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach, Newberry, Ocala, Orlando Utilities Commission, Wauchula and Winter Park. These cities are member-owners of FMPA along with 15 other municipal utilities.

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