Article submitted by Angela Cruz Ledford with Florida Power and Light Marketing & Communications
Before your children go back to school, give them some “info-tainment” with educational and fun things to do here at home, by taking them to see solar energy up close.
The Sunshine State is living up to its name, as Florida is in the midst of the largest solar expansion in its history. The state is in the process of becoming the global leader in solar energy, thanks to Florida Power & Light Company’s “30-by-30” plan to install 30 million solar panels by 2030.
Many families may not know that, because solar fields are typically located in remote locations. FPL has 18 solar farms already built, and the company is currently building 10 more – but they are geographically located in places that people might find inaccessible. The Hibiscus Solar Energy Center is under construction in Palm Beach County, and the Sweetbay Solar Energy Center is under construction in Martin County.
There are places where families can go see solar panels for themselves, right in their own hometowns. The goal is to inspire children to learn about the importance of clean energy, while being exposed to solar at popular tourism destinations.
It’s especially important right now, as Florida leads the country in new solar jobs – which means the children of today who go see these solar trees and canopies, could one day be working in the industry themselves.
Solar trees are aesthetic structures that look like actual trees, that feed clean energy to the community. Some of them can even charge your cell phone or laptop. Solar canopies provide shaded parking, which is helpful for keeping visitors’ cars cool during hot days.
Here are locations where you can find solar trees and canopies:
Palm Beach County:
· Manatee Lagoon, an FPL Eco-Discovery Center in Riviera Beach
· Howard Park in West Palm Beach
· South Florida Science Center & Aquarium in West Palm Beach
· Brightline station in West Palm Beach
· Barracuda Bay Aquatic Complex in Riviera Beach
· Palm Beach Gardens Aquatics Complex
· Barrier Free Park in Boynton Beach
· Oceanfront Park in Boynton Beach
· Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society in West Palm Beach
· Joseph Russo Athletic Complex in Palm Beach Gardens
Martin County:
· Kiwanis Youth Park in Stuart
St. Lucie County:
· Jessica Clinton Park in Port St. Lucie
For more information, visit http://SolarNow.FPL.com
