Plan Your Clean Energy Summer Road Trip

Summer break is around the corner, and that means it’s road trip time! Why not take a safe, socially distanced trip to one of FPL SolarNow’s 70+ locations? Across the state, parks, museums and zoos have been transformed into living classrooms featuring solar trees and canopies that benefit the community by generating clean energy.

Where do you want to go this summer? Check out the three itineraries below including must-see destinations across the state where you can learn more about solar energy. At select locations, you can also check out an augmented reality exhibit featuring “Sunny,” an interactive 3D animated solar tree that teaches you how solar energy works.

If you are an electric vehicle driver, you can charge up along the way thanks to the FPL EVolution program’s efforts to install 1,000+ charging ports at more than 100 locations.

Let’s hit the road!

South Florida

First stop…Miami! At the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, two solar trees and science meet to offer an interactive, educational experience where you can explore weather and technology exhibits, a planetarium and wildlife centers. Don’t miss the rooftop Sun Spot, brought to you by FPL, which features several interactive solar activities.

Drive 30 minutes north and you can visit another well-known South Florida museum in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Museum of Discovery and Science features hundreds of interactive exhibits and an outdoor science park. You can also meet “Sunny” there!

Now that you have learned about science and how solar energy works at the museums, it’s time to check out the wildlife at Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society. You can park under a solar canopy and see more than 550 animals while exploring 23 acres of lush tropical habitat. Be sure to check out the Malayan tigers, as well as the Florida panthers.

The good news about taking a summer road trip to South Florida’s east coast is the beach is never too far away. After your visit to the zoo, it’s a 12-mile drive to Oceanfront Park in Boynton Beach, where you can cool off and have a relaxing afternoon. The on-site playground is next to a solar tree, and the shaded parking under solar canopies is perfect for the hot summer days.

Central and North Florida

You don’t have to travel all the way to Australia to see kangaroos. Take a drive to Melbourne, Florida and see kangaroos relaxing under three solar trees at Brevard Zoo. Learn about environmental conservation and enjoy activities like kayak tours and paddle boating in the wetlands.

About 20 miles up the coast, you can learn all about space at the Exploration Tower in Port Canaveral, a unique building with seven floors of interactive exhibits and observation decks. Take in views of Kennedy Space Center, the surrounding beach, river and wildlife.

If you are looking to take a break from sitting in the car, visit Reed Canal Park. This natural area offers waterfront trails and paved pathways that are perfect for an afternoon stroll alongside four solar trees that provide shade and clean energy.

Another beautiful destination in the area is Central Park in Palm Coast. Located in the heart of downtown, it offers acres of open space, a fitness park and a lake.

Travel further north and get a taste of history at the St. Augustine Distillery Company, where the story of FPL has come full circle. The building began as the former FPL ice plant, and now the company is bottling up the spirit of Florida using clean, renewable energy. Catch the Old Town Trolley for a fun ride, while you wait comfortably under the solar canopy.

West Coast Florida

On the West Coast of Florida, Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is home to one of the largest FPL SolarNow projects in the state. Park under a solar canopy which shades 100 parking spaces, and see your favorite animals like lions, giraffes, monkeys, pythons, and bears while learning about the zoo’s commitment to sustainability.

A 40-minute drive north will take you to IMAG History and Science Center in Fort Myers. Learn about science both inside the facility and outside, where solar trees and a solar canopy serve as a living classroom to teach visitors about green energy.

For more fun in the sun, Ann and Chuck Dever Regional Park in Englewood offers a world-class skate park and waking trails through a nature preserve along with three solar trees.

Nestled along the Manatee River, Palmetto Estuary Preserve is a tranquil haven easily accessible through U.S. Highway 41/301. It contains wildlife habitat for native wading birds such as the wood stork, snowy egret and Roseate spoonbill.

Make it an Electric Road Trip

Now that you have your itinerary, it’s time to charge up your electric vehicle. The FPL EVolution program is increasing the availability of universal EV charging ports in Florida by 50% and making it easier for Floridians to drive electric.

With an 800+ mile stretch of fast charging stations strategically located from coast to coast, you can plug in every 50 miles along Florida’s Turnpike. The charging points are even available at FPL SolarNow locations, including the Brevard Zoo and Babcock Ranch, with even more locations coming soon. Find a charging port near you by downloading the app, available for iOS and Android devices.

FPL is committed to protecting the environment and preserving it for future generations to come. Through programs like FPL SolarNow and FPL EVolution, you can make your summer road trip educational and clean!