Florida Students Empowered to Create a Clean Energy Future

There’s no better way to learn about solar energy than to experience its power firsthand. That’s just how FPL SolarNow is helping kids across the Sunshine state become inspired by clean energy.

Whether at local competitions, online or in your own backyard, we’re committed to providing exciting opportunities for your family see solar energy in action. For example, you can visit one of our 70+ locations at local zoos, museums and parks to see innovative solar trees and canopies that generate clean energy for the community. It’s all part of a goal to help the future generation prepare for awesome careers in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).

Now, it’s time to witness clean energy come to life and dive into learning with some fun activities!

 

Full STEAM Ahead at the EnergyWhiz Competition

For Earth Day 2023, FPL SolarNow sponsored EnergyWhiz, a celebration of student ingenuity where more than 600 K-12 graders showcased their renewable energy projects through energy-focused competitions. The event took place at Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa including students from Pine Crest School in Boca Raton, Hidden Oaks Middle School in Palm City, Conscious Kids Association in Loxahatchee and Wellington Landings in Wellington. The activities included designing and driving electric go-carts, constructing an energy-efficient pet home and building a solar energy cooker.

Each of these competitions gave students a chance to demonstrate their capabilities, utilize the power of clean energy and expand their energy literacy and STEAM education. As FPL leads the country’s largest solar expansion, creating enriching and educational experiences can help to develop workforce pipeline which will ensure we continue to deliver on our commitment to create a brighter clean energy future for all Floridians. To support the demand for jobs in the fast-growing solar industry, we’ve also partnered with organizations, like Student ACES in Palm Beach County, to facilitate programs that guarantee young individuals entry-level positions in the field.

 

Extra Energy Education

The fun doesn’t have to stop there. You can also learn about solar energy from the comfort of your home – and the best way to do this is to get outside! Harness the power of the sun in your own backyard through experiments like creating a solar oven where the whole family can make s’mores together. The solar oven is also part of FPL’s online Energy Curriculum, which offers even more hands-on experiments, labs and activities for students and teachers to explore step-by-step lessons to foster knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Another way to expand your knowledge is through our Solar IQ page, which features a quiz to test your understanding of how solar energy works, how it is used and why it’s important to our environment.

 

Become a Solar Insider

FPL understands that a clean energy future starts with taking the right steps forward today and educating the future generation. As part of a commitment to a more sustainable future, FPL recently unveiled its 65^th solar energy center in Florida, with each solar energy center capable of powering approximately 15,000 homes with zero-emissions energy. Solar, and the many other ways we can create a more sustainable energy grid, are all part of FPL’s Real Zero goal to eliminate carbon emissions by no later than 2045.

You can join us in supporting and celebrating Florida’s clean energy future by becoming a Solar Insider to receive regular updates on FPL’s solar projects, our newest technologies, and the work we are doing to cut emissions and lower costs.