Florida’s Rice Creek Solar Energy Center is now operational, providing nearly 75 megawatts of renewable electricity to 12 cities across the state.
This solar farm is part of the Florida Municipal Solar Project, one of the largest municipal solar efforts in the U.S.
Located in Putnam County, near Palatka, the Rice Creek site features 213,000 solar panels, generating enough power to supply about 14,000 homes. It is the third solar site in the Florida Municipal Solar Project, with more developments planned.
Twelve municipal utilities are now receiving clean energy from Rice Creek, including Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Homestead, Keys Energy Services in Key West, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Lake Worth Beach, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach Utilities, Newberry, Ocala, Town of Havana, and Winter Park. This marks the first solar power project for Havana, New Smyrna Beach, and Newberry.
Jacob Williams, General Manager of the Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA), commented, “By collaborating, our members and their communities gain access to affordable, clean solar energy that’s both cost-effective and carbon-free.”
Coordinated by the FMPA in Orlando, the project involves 12 municipal utilities, which also serve as FMPA member-owners purchasing the energy. Origis Energy, based in Miami, is the developer, owner, and operator of the Rice Creek facility.
Josh Teigiser of Origis Energy stated, “We’re proud to support FMPA’s work. Long-term solar agreements, like the one for Rice Creek, help stabilize rates and provide predictable, lower electricity bills for customers.”
Construction has already begun on a fourth solar farm, Whistling Duck Solar, in Levy County. The Florida Municipal Solar Project is expected to expand to seven sites in the coming years, ultimately generating around 525 megawatts of clean energy.
Source: electrek