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Solar energy heats up with FGCU, FPL plans
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Florida is the Sunshine State, after all.
As part of its effort to be an environmental leader in the community, Florida Gulf Coast University is building a 16-acre solar field to reduce the school’s drain of non-renewable resources in Southwest Florida.
“We are practicing what we preach,” said Joe Shepherd, FGCU vice president for administrative services. “We are reducing our carbon footprint.”
As FGCU pursues this endeavor with the help of a state grant, Florida is refocusing its efforts to address the issue of climate change now and in the future. Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday signed legislation into law calling for renewable energy resources.
FPL returned in kind, announcing plans Wednesday to build 110 megawatts worth of solar power collectors in DeSoto County as part of a wider Florida initiative.
“This is a step in the right direction for Florida and our customers,” said Mayco Villafana, FPL spokesman. “FPL has been very progressive on the issue of climate change.”
The power company already has a smaller solar array in Sarasota County that is about half the size of a football field. The Sarasota County government donated the land, which was a closed landfill, and plans to build an instructional walking path through the array.
“It was an ideal situation for us,” said Gary Patton, Sarasota County energy coordinator.
The FGCU array will include solar panels on its roof tops and parking garages, but the bulk of the collectors will be on a 16-acre parcel in the northwest corner of the campus.
“We would like to have it up and running as quickly as possible,” Shepherd said. “By the summer of next year, we will have them up and operating.”
Funding for the alternative energy source at FGCU includes a $8.5 million grant authorized at the last Florida Legislature session. When complete, it will be one of the largest university solar arrays in the United States.
FGCU hopes to save about $875,000 each year in energy bills with solar power. The university spent $3.5 million last year in energy costs to FPL and will have a larger bill of $4.2 million next year if the power company gets approved for its rate increases.
The solar array will generate two megawatts of power; the university uses 9.6 megawatts each year.
This renewable energy project is one of the top priorities for new FGCU President Wilson Bradshaw, who highlighted the solar field in his report two weeks ago to the Board of Trustees.
“It will set an example,” Bradshaw said. “It will get others exploring renewable sources of energy.”
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the rape of the taxpayers continues. i'm so sorry i voted for Crist. he is an embarsasment to conservatives on par with McCain.
no money for services, but lots for environmental bundoggles!
#1 Posted by mimibuck on June 25, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How many megawatts will FGCU produce? 8.5 million is a substantial investment on the back of the taxpayer. 10 year break even not including maintence costs. Is 110 megawatts in Sarasota the max it can produce or an average 24/7 ,like other conventional power plants. How much will FPL raise my bill for a less efficient power source? Lets set an example for the taxpayers, like Amtrak and NASA on the efficient use of the biggest resource, cash.
#2 Posted by swampbuggy on June 25, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Government over-regulating and over-spending create unintended consequences.
When government assumes many duties, it's tougher to do the important ones right.
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#3 Posted by jacktanner on June 26, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm still wondering why a school that charges students so much per credit hour is incapable of funding the project themselves.
I hope these solar panels are designed to withstand hurricanes; otherwise, we're stuck cleaning up the bad investment, as well.
#4 Posted by Vapur9 on June 26, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"I'm still wondering why a school that charges students so much per credit hour is incapable of funding the project themselves."
Yeah, that $132.29 per credit hour is really steep. I guess they should charge the actual amount it would cost to educate wuthout tax dollars.
If someone could come up with a better way to curb the ever-rising energy costs for a facility of this size please post it here. If you are the genius that you think you are maybe you can market and sell your idea and make some bucks off of it.
#5 Posted by jim09091 on June 26, 2008 at 3:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Solar power is a great alternative energy source for us in South Florida. I congratulate FGCU on this project. Unlike wind power, solar is available during the peak demand hours and is more reliable than wind power here in South Florida
I plan on doing the same for my home in the next year or so, with the price of oil, and the negative impact of burning coal, we have to start soon to solve this energy crisis.
With electric cars coming soon, a good thing, we need to find better ways to produce non-polluting electricity
#6 Posted by jfwireless on June 26, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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