Here Comes The Sun

DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center Harnesses the Sun's Power

How many times have you felt the intense heat of the mid-day sun on your skin, or the wind blowing through your hair? Have you ever stood on a shoreline with your toes dug into the sand and felt the water fl ow back and forth, swirling around your ankles with each new breaking wave? All of these are examples of natural energy. It isn't diffi cult to see, feel, smell, touch or even taste some form of natural energy; all one has to do is venture outside to find it.

Over the years, the number of developers marketing natural, renewable energy sources has risen significantly in the consumer and commercial markets. Renewable energy is clean energy, and the best part is that it doesn't have to be processed or stripped from the earth. And now, renewable energy is coming right here to the heart of the Sunshine State.

Last summer, Florida Power & Light Company, a world leader in initiatives of technology and environmental concern, announced plans for a 25-megawatt photovoltaic plant in DeSoto County. During the facility's formal groundbreaking on February 26, Jim Robo, FPL's President and Chief Operating Officer, proclaimed, "When the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center is complete 10 months from now, it will be the largest photovoltaic solar site in the United States." Combined with other FPL facilities currently in the planning stages, and those under the umbrella of the FPL group, Robo also said FPL and its subsidiaries are striving to become the largest alternative power provider in the world, surpassing Spain for the title.

Growing Energy Demands

There's no argument that we cannot escape the need for electrical power. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the majority of American families utilize energy power within their homes every day of the year, all year long. Studies reveal the average U.S. home consumes approximately 10,656 total kWh of energy annually to produce light when it's dark, keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter, run appliances, keep food fresh or frozen and operate home electronics. Energy is also required to heat the water used for cooking, washing and bathing.

Currently, fossil fuels provide 85 percent of the world's energy sources. Petroleum provides the largest at nearly 40 percent with coal and natural gas closely tying for second place in the 20 percent range. In 2005, only 6 percent of all energy consumed — and about 9 percent of total electricity production — came from renewable energy sources. Due to our growing population's ongoing increase in demand for power, future fossil fuel supplies will eventually become strained and limited, if not altogether depleted.

Renewable energy resources are our hope for the future, but not just in terms of the energy they will provide. Robo addressed concerns of the current struggling economy locally and noted that construction of the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center would require 200 new jobs and provide DeSoto County with more than $2 million in additional property tax revenue through the end of 2010. Once completed, FPL estimates the plant will bring power to nearly 7,000 people, or 3,000 homes, representing about 20 percent of the homes in DeSoto County.

Harvesting the Sun's Rays

The facility itself will consist of more than 90,000 photovoltaic panels on 180 acres of remote Florida habitat surrounding the Arcadia area. FPL plans to erect an eight-foot-high security fence, which will outline the perimeter of the project and deter wildlife from entering the facility. Only birds will have the capability to fly in and out at will. Furthermore, FPL representatives stated there is no identified archeological history or significance at the project site. Traffic during construction is not expected to provide much of an impact in the immediate area; only a small amount of vehicles will access the project land from Karson Road via U.S. Highway 17.

The photovoltaic panels are being manufactured by SunPower Corporation from San Jose, Calif. SunPower's Chief Executive Officer, Thomas H. Werner, discussed how the panels will absorb sunlight and distribute an average of 42,000 megawatts of electricity annually. "The latest technology will be employed using SunPower trackers that follow the sun throughout the day and will deliver up to 30 percent more energy than the fixed ground tilt systems do," he said. When asked how the trackers follow the sun, Werner replied, "SunPower utilizes GPS receivers housed within the body of the frames, which allow for the correction in panel position as the earth rotates throughout the day and will correlate with changes as the sun moves through the sky." The panels tilt back and forth in north to south motions.

Solar panels provide a silent, dependable way to supply electricity anywhere the sun shines. The way in which solar power is distributed is fairly complex, but basically, sunlight rays strike the solar panels throughout the day. As the panels absorb sunlight, some of the electrons get knocked around and become loose. It is during this molecular reaction that energy is created. The larger the cell, the greater its capacity to generate electricity. Monocrystalline panels have uniform dark gray cells and produce the highest output per cell area. The panels themselves are rigid and have a glass covering

Less Oil and Cleaner Air

With the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in place, FPL estimates it will be able to decrease its use of fossil fuels by more than 275,000 barrels of oil annually. That will reduce and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 4,500 cars driven on roads each year. FPL media coordinator Jose Suarez summed it best when he said, "When the sun is up, our foot will be off the gas."

The environmental benefits are numerous as well. Solar power is the cleanest form of renewable energy available anywhere and produces zero waste. Replacing some of the traditional fossil fuel for natural fuel will also contribute to cleaner air for us to breathe.

Robo stated that FPL's goal is to create a "Clean Tech Corridor" throughout our beautiful state. He discussed future and ongoing initiatives that will bring solar power to various points, including Rothenback Park in Sarasota, south to Turkey Point and north to St. Lucie. Plans to install a smaller 10 megawatt plant are in place for the Kennedy Space Center. "The end goal," Robo said, "is to make Florida a magnet for renewable manufacturers for research dollars at our universities and for good paying jobs in a dynamic growth industry."

What it Means for Us

Jason Green, DeSoto County's planning manager, is also optimistic about the future of solar power here in our area and across the state. He said he hopes the educational impact through private and public partnership will be realized as the expansion of solar is implemented. Green stated there would be an opportunity for learning centers, labs and educational resources to showcase what we are doing here in Florida. He also said he would like to see manufacturers of solar panels move into our area to produce the panels locally, as the need for more panels will continue to rise as FPL continues to expand.

The spin-off industry that could result is another bright spot. "If Florida becomes the solar capital of the world," Green said, "we will need assembly workers, as well as research and development personnel. White-collar positions will come with the management of these companies. Our shipping capabilities here locally are also very accessible with our good infrastructure and immediate access to several major state highways and proximity to many ports.

"Solar power is a growing market segment, and research is being conducted to take advantage of the latest technology on a daily basis," Green concluded. "This future business would be very good for our area and Florida."