How FPL’s New SolarNow™ Program is Soaking Up the Sun

We all know how important it is to take care of our community by recycling, planting trees and incorporating clean, renewable energy into our daily lives. Now, we’re taking this a step further and doing all three with FPL SolarNow™.

Because of the continued support of customers like you, we are able to grow the use of solar energy in our local communities. Your contributions go toward building innovative solar trees and solar parking canopies that showcase solar energy up close, provide shade and generate emissions-free energy that serves our local communities.

Find a FPL SolarNow location in your community.

What is a Solar Tree?

The Solar Trees are artistic, clean energy structures that not only catch the sun to deliver clean emissions-free energy but also provide shade.

A combination of art, convenience, green energy and community, the Solar Trees seamlessly integrate into the landscape to create a unique space where you, your family and friends can interact and learn more about solar energy. Together, we are not only bringing more solar energy to our communities, we are transforming our future.

Let’s get a little nitty gritty. There are two types of solar trees: Curve and Lift. The Curves are 18 feet tall and create 120 square feet of shade. The Lift models are 24 feet tall and create 200 square feet of shade. And, depending on their location, they provide additional seating, lighting and serve as a convenient charging station.

The first two solar trees were planted at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Downtown Miami, which is now open to the public. Find out where else you can spot our solar trees.

What is a Solar Canopy?

Solar parking canopies are larger solar installations that serve as a shaded parking area while generating clean energy.

Naki Carter, Public Relations Manager for the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in West Palm Beach had this to say about their solar installation:

“The 100-kilowatt solar canopy in our main parking lot keeps cars covered and cool for our guests. By using 100 percent Florida sunshine, the solar canopy will produce as much as 140,000-kilowatt-hours of clean electricity. When the sun is shining, it will generate enough electricity to power our Tropics Café for a half year.”

In addition to the Palm Beach Zoo, you can also find solar parking canopies at the Young at Art Museum in Broward County and the Palmetto Estuary Nature Preserve in Manatee County. And we’re not stopping there!

Officials recently approved plans for a solar canopy at Boynton Beach Oceanfront Park in Palm Beach County and Naples Zoo in Collier County. Other Florida cities are joining in on the effort to educate residents on solar energy by installing solar trees or parking canopies in their communities.

What Can I Do?

We have plans to build many more solar trees and canopies in the future, and we need your help to make an impact. Give us your suggestions for other locations.

If you have not yet joined the FPL SolarNow movement — all you have to do is sign up.

Let’s work together to bring even more clean solar energy to our communities!