1 Million Solar Panels Coming to Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County is already a world-renowned destination with first-class cultural and tourist attractions, but did you know that it’s quickly becoming a hub for solar energy?

From our Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center to the solar trees and canopies taking root across the county, it’s all part of FPL’s plan to bring 1 million solar panels to the area over the next few years. Thanks to FPL SolarNow participants, we are partnering with organizations across Miami-Dade County to bring our celebrated FPL SolarNow™ projects to communities across the county.

SolarNow installations are voluntarily funded by FPL customers and built for all to learn firsthand about the power of solar energy. We’ve put together this handy guide to Miami’s SolarNow installations for residents and visitors alike to explore these high-tech and educational clean energy displays.

Plus, you could even win a prize when you stop by and take a “Solar Selfie!” Simply take a photo with one of the solar trees or canopies and tweet, tagging @insideFPL and using the hashtag #FPLSolarNow, for the chance to win.

Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center

Construction is well underway at Miami’s first universal solar power plant, the FPL Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center. The site will have more than 300,000 solar panels and generate zero-emissions power for customers – enough to power about 15,000 homes, which is the equivalent of taking 12,000 cars off the road.

In addition to the clean energy it generates, the solar center is a perfect Miami neighbor, operating virtually silently and requiring no water for operation or maintenance.

Tropical Park

Tropical Park is one of the City of Miami’s largest community spaces, sprawling 275 acres just west of the Palmetto Expressway. From cycling paths and a fitness-and-boxing center to scenic walking and jogging routes, there is an activity for all of the park’s 1.5 million annual visitors.

Now, visitors to Tropical Park can enjoy solar trees that provide shade from the hot sun while bringing solar energy closer to its visitors. The park is a Miami institution, filled with countless educational and recreational opportunities, and we are proud to plant our solar energy flag in the heart of this beloved community center.

Zoo Miami

The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, more commonly known as Zoo Miami, is an attraction like no other in that it’s the only tropical zoo in the continental United States. Home to more than 3,000 animals, the zoo welcomes millions of families every year to enjoy its sights and sounds.

As a proponent of clean energy, Zoo Miami offers information about cutting-edge solar energy generation alongside views of animals from around the world. We have installed solar trees in the zoo right in front of Dr. Wilde’s World of Discovery that also serve as a charging station.

But that’s not all! Scheduled to open by the end of 2018, FPL and Zoo Miami will unveil a solar pavilion, that will provide covered shade for the zoo’s visitors. For all of the latest information on the Pavilion’s opening and the rest of the SolarNow program, visit our News Stream.

Related Story: FPL SolarNow™ Brings Solar Arrays to Sunny Zoo Miami

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

The Frost Science Museum opened last year in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park and has been thrilling countless visitors with a science museum, planetarium and aquarium. The museum held its grand reopening last year and unveiled two solar trees and solar panels on their rooftop terrace.

Thousands of visitors flock to the museum to learn about incredible science from around the world and our solar trees are an excellent real-life example of an advanced scientific concept come to life. They also provide shade for pedestrians as they take in breathtaking views of Downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay.

Related Story: SolarNow is Heating Up at Frost Museum of Science

Upcoming Projects

In addition, FPL has 10 SolarNow projects currently in development in Miami-Dade County. Set to open next year, these new solar trees and canopies will take root in many of Miami’s most iconic destinations and neighborhoods.

Families enjoying the playground area and ample green space of Coral Gate Park, right near scenic Coral Way, will soon be able to interact with a solar tree, scheduled for completion in mid-2019.

In the Flagami neighborhood, visitors to the Bay of Pigs Memorial Park can catch a glimpse of the future as they enjoy one of Miami’s most historic locations. The solar trees will be unveiled in mid-2019.

And just north of Southwest 8th Street in the Alameda neighborhood of Miami, West End Park will receive a major clean energy boost courtesy of FPL SolarNow. Currently in development, we’re installing solar trees and a large solar canopy at the park, which will provide shade from the hot sun in addition to generating energy for the local grid.

Enroll Today!

As an FPL customer, it’s easy to invest in the future of Florida’s energy by becoming a part of our SolarNow program. If you’re not already a member, visit solarnow.fpl.com/enroll to learn more and enroll in the program today.