ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 13, 2007 – Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) announced today it will explore the potential use of solar photovoltaic technology to help meet its customers’ growing electricity needs in an environmentally responsible manner.

FMPA is a wholesale power agency owned by municipal electric utilities in Florida. FMPA provides all the wholesale power needs of 15 cities, including Bushnell, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Green Cove Springs, Town of Havana, Kissimmee, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Lake Worth, Leesburg, Newberry, Ocala, Starke and Vero Beach.

Florida is among the fastest growing states in the nation, and as its communities grow, so does the need for electricity. FMPA’s long-term power supply plan shows that member cities’ electricity needs are projected to increase almost 30 percent by 2021. To meet these growing needs, while achieving Florida’s environmental goals, FMPA must develop a balanced mix of power resources that pairs proven technologies, like clean-burning natural gas, with innovative renewable technologies like solar.

FMPA issued a request on Dec. 5 seeking solar photovoltaic equipment or a contract to purchase electricity generated with solar technology. Solar photovoltaic technology converts energy from light or solar radiation directly into electrical energy using a solar cell. The request for proposals is a significant first step towards exploring and, eventually, developing solar generation to serve FMPA’s member communities.

FMPA’s request is structured to attract the broadest possible range of solar manufacturers and project developers. Bidders are invited to submit proposals ranging from the supply of solar photovoltaic equipment, to installation of a turn-key solar project, to a power purchase contract for electricity generated by solar photovoltaic technology.

“FMPA members currently receive power from two renewable power sources. This is our first foray into advanced solar technology,” said Roger Fontes, FMPA’s General Manager and CEO. “At this stage, we’re exploring the full range of alternatives for bringing solar into our mix of generating resources.”

FMPA’s request asks for proposals that could provide up to 100 megawatts of electrical generation, installed over a period of five years. FMPA would begin by installing 10 megawatts in the first year, 2008, with additional capacity added in future years. Proposals are due in January 2008.

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Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company owned by 30 municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies of scale in power generation and related services to support community-owned electric utilities. The members of FMPA serve approximately 2 million Floridians. FMPA’s members are Alachua, Bartow, Blountstown, Bushnell, Chattahoochee, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Green Cove Springs, Havana, Homestead, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Lake Worth, Lakeland, Leesburg, Moore Haven, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach, Newberry, Ocala, Orlando, Quincy, St. Cloud, Starke, Vero Beach, Wauchula and Williston.