SACE Statement on FPL’s Proposed Solar Investments in Florida

Tampa, Fla. — Earlier today Florida Power & Light (FPL), the state’s largest investor-owned utility, announced plans to install 30 million solar panels in Florida by 2030.

In response to today’s announcement, Dr. Stephen A. Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, made this statement:

“We welcome Florida Power & Light’s commitment to build more utility-owned solar in Florida, and we agree that increasing solar power in the Sunshine State is good news for consumers and the environment. As with any announcement, the devil is in the details. A commitment to 30 million solar panels does not clearly indicate the amount of power that will be delivered to Florida customers, but we project it will likely double their current stated goal of approximately 4,000 megawatts. While this is a positive jump in solar development, it’s important to note this will not make FPL a leader in solar watts per customer based on their size in the Southeast or the country. Solar growth is exploding across our region, and we continue to support good policies and actions that maximize Florida’s tremendous solar resource potential.”

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s most recent Solar in the Southeast report, cataloging southeastern utility standings by comparing installed solar as well as solar watts per customer, was published in February 2018 and will be updated with new data soon.

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About the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Since 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy has worked to promote responsible energy choices to ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast.  Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org.