FPL SolarNow Salutes Local Heroes

November 11 marks a day of appreciation for the brave veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. At Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), we’re honored to employ military veterans on a mission to bring a clean energy future to you and your families.

It’s no secret that individuals with the skills obtained during military service make great employees. That’s why FPL is committed to helping veterans prepare for their next careers. Today, we employ many veterans who are helping to build solar energy centers throughout Florida to bring even more affordable, reliable and clean energy to the Sunshine State.

As a father and a Floridian, Matt Valle, FPL’s vice president of development, is focused on the future he’s building for his children. A former nuclear submarine officer in the U.S. Navy, he is part of the team leading the FPL SolarNow program, encouraging education and bringing more solar power into local communities. Parks, zoos, museums, and dozens of other locations in Florida have been transformed into living classrooms allowing visitors to come face-to-face with renewable energy.

Many SolarNow arrays are in locations that honor our country’s brave men and women. This Veterans Day, visit one of these locations and see how SolarNow salutes our local veterans and fallen heroes.

Bay of Pigs Memorial Park: Located in the Flagami neighborhood of Miami, the park features a monument commemorating the 2506^th Brigade of Cuba, memorialized in history during the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion. Visitors will benefit from the on-site clean energy generated by two solar trees, which encircle the park.

Bailey Brothers Park: Seven local men – all brothers – who served their country from WWII through the Vietnam War are the inspiration for this park in Punta Gorda. In addition to a beautiful memorial in the center of the park, a solar canopy provides shade to visitors’ parked cars, brings clean energy to the community, and helps to commemorate the lasting legacy of the Bailey brothers.

William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park: The sun continues to rise on the community that fallen marine William R. Gaines Jr. called home. We pay tribute to his sacrifice for freedom at this park in Port Charlotte, and now, the sunshine is building a better tomorrow through solar energy.

Riverfront Veterans Memorial Park: Featuring a monument honoring those who served in the military, visitors can fish under some shade at the two solar trees that also generate clean energy for the Volusia community.

Laishley Park: This location includes a Veterans Memorial Garden dedicated to remembering those who served during the Vietnam War. The park is pet-friendly and contains amenities like a 400-foot fishing pier, parking facilities, interactive fountain, concert area and event lawn and walking paths. Solar canopies provide more than comfortable shade during hot days – they also generate clean, emissions-free energy for the community.

As we continue our solar expansion across the state, we are dedicated to offering more job opportunities for veterans and are committed to leading the way toward a brighter future. Thank you to the men and women who have served our country. And to those who are now at the forefront of building solar energy and creating a better tomorrow for us all.