Celebrate Sustainable Energy this Earth Day

Earth Day is a chance each year to consider our impact on the environment and to raise awareness of the role zero-emissions energy, like solar, plays in helping to combat climate change.

At FPL SolarNow®, our mission is to positively affect our planet by using the greatest natural resource we have – the sun. This limitless, low-cost energy source is a clean way to tap into the abundant sunshine we get in Florida without creating harmful emissions.

This year, celebrate April 22 with FPL SolarNow by visiting one of our many partner locations, joining in local Earth Day events and by finding ways you can join us in creating a better future for our planet.

Solar Energy’s Impact

As a sustainable and renewable resource, solar energy is the cleanest energy source available. That’s one reason why FPL SolarNow has partnered with 70+ locations throughout Florida to showcase solar energy in the community. These zoos, parks and museums have been transformed into outdoor living classrooms where you can witness solar energy up close right in your own backyard and at many locations you can meet “Sunny”, an interactive animated solar tree that shares facts about solar energy.

These unique and educational structures also have a direct impact on the communities they serve. Each solar tree can generate up to 3 kilowatts of solar energy – enough to power an electric vehicle 15,000 miles per year. For example, the solar tree at Palm Beach Zoo has created 740,000 kWh since it was “planted” in 2016, which is enough to power about 70 homes for one year!

We haven’t stopped there. This March, FPL announced it opened its 63^rd solar energy center in Florida, with each solar energy center capable of powering approximately 15,000 homes with zero-emissions energy.

We have learned that the most sustainable sources of energy are also the most economic. For more than four decades, we have been on a journey to modernize our power plants to save customers money. And last year, we announced our Real Zero goal to eliminate carbon emissions by no later than 2045.

This goal aims to keep electric bills affordable, secure Florida’s energy independence and spur job creation, while safeguarding our clean air and water for generations to come.

To achieve our goal, we will build more cost-effective solar, which is fueled by Florida’s own sunshine, expand our clean, reliable and safe nuclear plants, add batteries that can store and release solar energy and explore new technologies, like clean hydrogen.

Celebrate the Planet

Get Your Free Tree: Did you know that planting trees in the right places around your home can help reduce the amount of energy your home requires, add value to your property, reduce your carbon footprint and improve air quality? We’re giving away free trees to FPL SolarNow participants in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees program. Visit here to reserve your free tree today!

Celebrate Earth Day 2023 at Frost Science: This year, FPL SolarNow is sponsoring the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science’s Earth Day event on April 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join us to learn all about the power of the Sun – and the power of people like you to help protect our Earth. Make crafts with the Frost Science education team, learn how FPL is imagining a brighter future through solar power and hear from local high schoolers about their work to make their communities greener places. FPL SolarNow participants can claim complimentary tickets to the event here.

Party for the Planet at Zoo Miami: On April 22 and 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Zoo Miami will have a mobile in-park scavenger hunt where visitors can help save the planet from environmental threats. This Earth Day event will be fun for the whole family, and guests who complete the scavenger hunt will be eligible for a special prize. As part of the Zoo’s conservation efforts, guests will also receive free admission to the zoo if they donate a cell phone.  When you’re done with your scavenger hunt, visit one of FPL’s solar trees to interact with “Sunny” through your mobile device.

Party for the Planet at Brevard Zoo: Come celebrate Florida’s native plants and pollinators at Brevard Zoo on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will feature games, fun activities, flower-themed enrichment for the animals and will be included with general admission to the zoo. The Zoo will also partner with volunteers and local growers to sell native plants during this event to help create habitats for Florida’s beautiful birds, butterflies and bees. While you’re there, you can learn more about solar energy at one of our three FPL SolarNow solar trees onsite.