FPL starts construction on world’s largest integrated solar-powered battery system

by | Jan 28, 2021



Florida Power and Light (FPL) will soon house the world’s biggest battery system, capable of powering Disney World for approximately seven hours.

FPL announced on Thursday that it had begun construction on the FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center, which is expected to shatter industry records as the world’s largest integrated solar-powered battery system. The project, part of the electric company’s modernization plan to install a cleaner energy grid in the Sunshine State, will be located in Parrish, Florida, and is expected to begin serving customers in late 2021.

“Despite the numerous challenges of 2020, our employees have never lost focus on our fundamental duty to look over the horizon and ensure we’re building a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Florida,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. “The Manatee Energy Storage Center won’t just exceed industry records, it will also be a major win for FPL customers and our beautiful state – cutting emissions, saving customers millions and enabling us to deliver more reliable, clean energy, even when the sun’s not shining. Bringing the world’s largest integrated solar-powered battery to Florida showcases to the world our state’s engineering and hi-tech capabilities and is yet another example of FPL’s relentless focus on challenging the status quo and embracing innovative technology to deliver America’s best energy value.”

Using stored energy produced by the nearby Manatee Solar Energy Center, the battery system will allow customers to benefit from solar energy even during times when the sun is not shining, such as at night or on a cloudy day. The solar-powered battery system will also create 70 new jobs during peak construction and is expected to save FPL customers more than $100 million and eliminate more than one million carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the project.

“A clean energy revolution is sweeping the Sunshine State and FPL is making smart investments to move it forward,” said at-large Manatee County Commissioner, Carol Whitmore. “We’re very proud of the important part Manatee County played since the early days of FPL’s solar expansion when the company opened a solar power plant in Parrish in 2016. And we’re proud that Manatee County will now be home to the largest integrated solar-powered battery system in the world.”

To view the full press release, click here.

5 Comments

  1. Drew Gillett

    would b better if they supported storage at homes with its many additional benefits

  2. Robert Himschoot

    My questions are:
    How many trees are you removing? (Trees remove CO2 and produce Oxygen.)
    Additionally how will spent batteries be disposed?

  3. Michael tammaro

    Excellent. But typo. Let out tons or pounds re carbon emissions

  4. Anonymous

    Left

  5. Anonymous

    Robert Himschoot’s comment hits the nail on the head. Recycling of spent batteries from electric vehicles is a major problem that needs to be solved.

 

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