Dec 14 2007
From charting a clean energy future to trailblazing on the space frontier, they are respected leaders. Now Florida Power & Light Company and National Aeronautic and Space Administration’s Kennedy Space Center (NASA-KSC) are teaming up to jointly explore developing renewable energy projects. FPL Group owns and operates the largest solar facility in the world and Florida Power & Light has the proven energy expertise in Florida. NASA has the top space science experts with extensive experience using solar technology in space. Together they hope to advance and deploy the use of large scale solar technology in Florida as early as 2008.
Both NASA-KSC and FPL are committed to expanding the use of renewable energy resources in Florida to reduce greenhouse gases and address the challenge of climate change. FPL Group is a recognized champion of energy efficiency and conservation programs. NASA is a significant consumer of electric power with land and/or facilities that may be available for renewable energy projects.
“FPL has long been a clean energy and conservation leader. We now have an exciting opportunity to work with NASA to bring more renewable energy to Florida,” said Armando Olivera, president of FPL. “This fits right in with our goal to meet the challenge of reducing greenhouse gases while providing our customers with clean, reliable power at an affordable price,” he added.
"The Kennedy Space Center is pleased to partner with our electric power provider to explore ways we can jointly improve the use of renewable energy in Florida," said Center Operations Director Michael J. Benik. "We are looking forward to identifying projects that can help reduce our nation's and state's dependence on fossil fuels."
Examples of the types of projects contemplated for evaluation under the agreement include solar, biomass, and wind energy projects. The parties plan to initially study the feasibility of installing a solar photovoltaic power generation system capable of producing up to 10 megawatts of electrical power at a site of approximately 50 acres. Such a facility would produce enough energy to serve about 3,000 average homes.