FPL opens new solar center in Immokalee

A new solar center is opening up in Immokalee.

The center is capable of powering about 15,000 homes. In Southwest Florida, FPL has 12 solar energy centers. Five of those are in DeSoto County, more than any county in Florida.

Florida Power and Light said powering those 15,000 homes is equivalent to taking 14,000 gas-dependent cars off the road each year.

This is all part of the company’s goal to install 30 million solar panels across the state.

“We’re delivering on our commitment to customers of building clean reliable energy features, while also keeping cost affordable,” said Jack Eble spokesman for FPL.

Eble said solar energy offers both financial and environmental benefits. The company said they believe its customers will save more than $12 billion in fees and provide clean, sustainable energy.

“We’ve moved away from old and efficient power plant just last year,” Eble said. “We ended our use of coal in the State of Florida and solar energy centers are part of the reason why we’re able to transition away from those inefficient power plants.”

These are part of FPL’s “30-by-30” plan of installing 30 million solar panels in Florida by 2030.

Thanks to sites like the one in Immokalee, FPL believes it can accomplish its goal by 2025.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve been able to do, we’re continuing to look over the horizon to provide a clean, effective solution of tomorrow,” Eble said.