Large-scale community solar makes its way to Florida: Leaders break ground on 120-acre solar farm in Tallahassee

June 1, 2017. Leaders break ground on 120­acre solar farm in Tallahassee Special to the Democrat Published 8:00 p.m. ET May 30, 2017 | Updated 10:40 p.m. ET May 30, 2017 More than a hundred community members gathered Tuesday in an open field on Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) property to join leaders with the City of Tallahassee and Origis Energy to break ground on a new 20 megawatt (MW) solar farm. Once complete, the 120­acre solar farm will be capable of producing 37 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year – enough to power 3,400 homes and businesses in the Sunshine State’s capital. “As Florida’s capital city, we are thrilled to harness the Sunshine State’s most renewable energy source for our community’s use,” Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum said. “Offering Tallahassee residents the ability to customize their participation in our solar program is an innovative way to keep our City Utility among the best in the nation and ensure we are preserving our energy resources for years to come.” Approximately 90,000 photovoltaic solar panels will make up the farm, which will be constructed and operated by Origis Energy. When completed this fall, the solar farm will be one of the largest in Florida. “The vision, professionalism and strategic consideration the City utility and leadership have shown throughout the development process has been truly inspiring,” said Johan Vanhee, managing director of operations and business development for Origis Energy USA. Vanhee, who spoke at the groundbreaking event, went on to say, “The City of Tallahassee leads the state of Florida in solar development. This includes their use of solar as a clean energy source and their innovative Tallahassee Solar subscription program.” Energy produced by the solar farm will feed into the city’s electric grid. Customers who wish to participate in Tallahassee Solar, the City’s new solar program, will be able to do so beginning on Thursday, June 1. Tallahassee Solar allows residential, small­ and medium­sized commercial customers the opportunity to customize their participation level in the program at 25, 50 or 100 percent. “This program represents a collaborative effort among our city government, citizens and private organizations,” Steve Urse, a member of Sustainable Tallahassee and the City’s Utilities Citizen Advisory Committee, said. “It provides us with access to solar energy without the up­front costs of installing solar panels, which is key in encouraging more and more people to use clean, renewable energy. Tallahassee Solar is a win for our community.” Earlier this year, the Tallahassee City Commission approved staff to move forward with planning a second solar farm, which will further increase solar production. The second 40 MW solar farm is expected to produce enough solar energy to power an additional 6,800 homes and businesses. To learn more about Tallahassee Solar, visit Talgov.com/Solar (http://Talgov.com/Solar) or call (850) 891­4968. Read or Share this story: http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/05/31/leaders­break­ground­120­acre­solar­farm­tallahassee/356977

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

+1-646-402-5076

www.arcstarenergy.com