Largest solar panel plant in US rises in Fla.

[bloomington-lib]

Source: Associated Press

ARCADIA, Fla. – Greg Bove steps into his pickup truck and drives down a sandy path to where the future of Florida's renewable energy plans begin: Acres of open land filled with solar panels that will soon power thousands of homes and business.

For nearly a year, construction workers and engineers in this sleepy Florida town of citrus trees and cattle farms have been building the nation's largest solar panel energy plant. Testing will soon be complete, and the facility will begin directly converting sunlight into energy, giving Florida a momentary spot in the solar energy limelight.

The Desoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center will power a small fraction of Florida Power & Light's 4-million plus customer base; nevertheless, at 25 megawatts, it will generate nearly twice as much energy as the second-largest photovoltaic facility in the U.S.

The White House said President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit the facility Tuesday, when it officially goes online and begins producing power for the electric grid.

As demand grows and more states create mandates requiring a certain percentage of their energy come from renewable sources, the size of the plants is increasing. The southwest Florida facility will soon be eclipsed by larger projects announced in Nevada and California.

"We took a chance at it and it worked out," said Bove, construction manager at the project, set on about 180 acres of land 80 miles southeast of Tampa. "There's a lot of backyard projects, there's a lot of rooftop projects, post offices and stores. Really this is one of the first times where we've taken a technology and upsized it."

Despite its nickname, the Sunshine State hasn't been at the forefront of solar power. Less than 4 percent of Florida's energy has come from renewable sources in recent years. And unlike California and many other states, Florida lawmakers haven't agreed to setting clean energy quotas for electric companies to reach in the years ahead.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091023/ap_on_bi_ge/us_solar_power_plant

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The last paragraph of the article mentions China's solar ambitions

"In April, Arizona-based manufacturer First Solar Inc. announced plans to build a 48-megawatt plant in Nevada, producing power for about 30,000 homes. Even that pales compared to recently announced plans for a 2 gigawatt facility in China. First Solar has initial approval to build it.

[flvegan]

1. They were just talking about this on the local news. This solar plant can power

roughly 3,000 homes for a year. Incredible. This plant has also been a major help to the local economy in the town of Arcadia where the unemployment rate was higher than the national average.

Win-win-win.

[Soylent Brice]

2. K&R for SOLAR!!

[Stumbler]

3. Wow! And only 30 years too late!

Seriously though, that's great news. I only hope we can use this to continue spreading solar power rather than mercury emissions.

[FreakinDJ]

5. How advanced would the Technology be if Carter's Tax incentives

stayed in effect

[bertman]

4. Somebody tell Madfloridian that Florida finally did something GOOD!! Just pullin' her leg,

of course.

This is fantastic news. We need thousands of small-scale regional solar and wind power plants. Not some massive sunfarm in Arizona.

Energy security from lots of small generating plants that can feed into a larger grid if needed or that are on a smaller regional or local grid as a precaution against sabotage.

The Green Economy is coming on line. But it's moving too slow. Come on, Congress, kick start this baby!!

rec.

[jaksavage]

6. Just installed my own

4.3 Kw power plant on the roof of my garage.
Sharp panels made in USA.

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. wow - 4300 watts, my neighbour has "upgraded" to 900 watts, total solar for a decade.

.
.
.

I'm in Northern Ontario - I'd like more info on your system and suppliers/prices.

PM me if you want

More on my neighbour - they have a huge house, heated only by wood. They have acres of gardens growing their own food - I have been the recipient of some of it for 5 years.

Water is supplied by a well uphill from the house that they hand-pump up to a buried tank that gives them gravity-feed water year round - and more -

You may want to check out the Frugal and Energy Efficient Living Group here on DU

I think your input there would be welcomed

[Uncle Joe]

7. Kicked and recommended for a solar race with China.

This is a good step for Florida.

Thanks for the thread, bloomington-lib.:thumbsup:

[seafan]

9. Arcadia, Florida abuzz over Tuesday visit by Obama

Old little Arcadia is bustin' its buttons this week.





DeSoto County Courthouse, Arcadia, Florida




















(Many photos from this link.)





By Zac Anderson
October 23, 2009

.....

But President Barack Obama will make Arcadia history on Tuesday when he becomes the first commander in chief to walk through this citrus-and-cow-town turned solar energy mecca.

"I would say it will be quite an event," said Howard Melton, 88, the town's unofficial historian.

In a community where Friday night football and the annual rodeo are typically the biggest events, the president's visit is major news and a shock to many who did not realize the significance of the 90,000 solar panels that have replaced orange trees on the town's outskirts.
"It's pretty exciting for somebody that big to show up in this little redneck town," said Chrissy Utman, a waitress at the popular Wheeler's Cafe downtown.

Obama will use the opening ceremony for North America's largest photovoltaic solar Solar congressional hearings next week.

.....

While some state leaders view solar energy as too expensive and seem disinclined to tamper with the energy market by providing incentives for clean-energy producers, the Arcadia solar plant is quickly becoming a major source of local pride.

Longtime beauty shop owner Lucy Brown said local residents are excited about a forward-looking technology that could help redefine a town image rooted in traditions, from the antique shops and historic buildings downtown to waning cattle and citrus operations.
"I'm honored Mr. Obama is coming and that we're going to be seen as a leader in this solar power thing," said Brown, who voted for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in last year's election. "We should all be proud. This will go down in history."

Like Brown, many in this deeply conservative area do not share Obama's political stances but are excited about the historic significance of his visit and the attention it will bring.

Marine veteran Ken Bartlett, 60, runs Antiques & Books in downtown Arcadia. He voted for McCain, but called solar energy "a grand idea" and said Obama's visit is "quite an honor."

.....

DeSoto Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Jeff Griffis said times are changing for Arcadia.
"Historically we've been known for citrus and cattle, so it's great to have something new like clean energy," ..... "This is the future."

No matter how small a town you find in Florida, it will be making news. Good on ya, Arcadia!