FPL Launches “Solar Sanctuary” to Protect Wildlife at Solar Sites
JUNO BEACH, Fla., Nov. 15, 2017 – Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) and Audubon Florida have joined forces to create “Solar Sanctuary”, a groundbreaking initiative to make solar energy sites more wildlife-friendly. This effort will enhance eight solar power plant locations across the state with habitat restoration for birds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Conservation Groups Join the Effort
To bring this vision to life, FPL and Audubon Florida are partnering with leading environmental organizations. These include the Florida Wildflower Foundation, Florida Native Plant Society, Wildlife Habitat Council, and local Audubon chapters. Together, they aim to conserve and create native habitats while advancing clean energy development.
Building on a Proven Pilot Program
This initiative expands on FPL’s 2016 pollinator pilot program, which introduced native wildflowers and other plants to solar sites. As a result, pollinator-friendly zones were created across 15 acres in multiple Florida counties, attracting bees, butterflies, and birds. The success of that program laid the foundation for the larger Solar Sanctuary project.
Solar Sites Will Serve as Biodiversity Hotspots
Each new solar facility will now include large areas reserved for planting native grasses, trees, shrubs, and vines, which will create a vibrant ecological tapestry across the landscape. These enhancements won’t just beautify the land—they’ll provide critical habitat for Florida’s wildlife, fostering biodiversity and supporting various species. By integrating these natural elements, we are not only promoting a sustainable energy source but also ensuring that these facilities coexist harmoniously with the environment, allowing animals to thrive while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the area. Furthermore, these green spaces can serve as educational opportunities for the community, encouraging environmental stewardship and awareness among residents and visitors alike.
Moreover, FPL will also preserve existing wetlands on-site. These high-quality water features serve as nesting, foraging, and resting areas for a wide variety of wetland-dependent species, including birds, frogs, and turtles.
Long-Term Benefits for Nature and People
By integrating conservation into clean energy development, FPL and its partners are creating a model for sustainable infrastructure. Not only will Solar Sanctuaries support local ecosystems, but they’ll also boost native pollinator populations, which in turn benefit nearby agricultural operations.
With the help of respected conservation groups, FPL is proving that solar energy and habitat preservation can go hand-in-hand—for the good of both wildlife and the communities they live in.
— Therefore, they will design and implement site-specific environmental enhancements that will make FPL solar sites bird-and pollinator-friendly havens.
The Sunshine state
Florida ranks ninth in the U.S. for solar potential, making it ideal for clean energy. FPL operates 330,000 solar panels across hundreds of acres—much of it preserved natural land. Two of its sites, Coral Farms in Putnam County and Loggerhead in St. Lucie County, are the first to join Audubon Florida’s Solar Sanctuary Program, which supports both solar power and native wildlife.
Eva Ries of the St. Lucie Audubon Society noted the project boosts clean energy without harming the environment, while saving customers over $100 million across eight solar plants. FPL President Eric Silagy said partnering with Audubon Florida was a natural fit. Four additional sanctuary sites are underway in Alachua, Putnam, DeSoto, Brevard, and Hendry counties.
Solar Sanctuary Designation
FPL plans to install over 2.5 million solar panels across Florida by 2018, with each site designed to support native ecosystems. While the details will vary by location, local conservation groups—including Audubon Florida—are working with FPL to guide habitat protection and restoration efforts.
Solar Sanctuaries: Florida Power Light
These Solar Sanctuaries will feature pollinator-friendly areas and food sources for insects, songbirds, and hummingbirds. Conservation enhancements include protecting wetlands for frogs, turtles, and wading birds; preserving gopher tortoise habitats; and planting native groundcover for added wildlife shelter. Bird boxes, perches, and water recharge zones are also planned. Beyond the environmental impact, these efforts will benefit nearby farms by attracting native pollinators essential for crops.
More information about solar in Florida and FPL’s solar investments
FPL has operated solar technology for more than 30 years. It began with its first universal solar installation in Miami in 1984. Since then, the company has expanded aggressively. Today, it ranks among the cleanest electric utilities in the country.
In 2009, FPL built the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, a 25-megawatt project. At the time, it was also the largest solar PV plant in the U.S. Then, by 2016, FPL made history again. It became the first company to build solar cost-effectively in Florida, completing three 74.5-megawatt universal solar plants. These projects are expected to deliver long-term savings for customers across the state.
Florida Power Light
Currently, FPL serves about 5 million customer accounts, thereby reaching nearly 10 million Floridians. Residential customers who use 1,000 kWh per month pay roughly 25% less than the national average. Because of its customer satisfaction and service, J.D. Power ranked FPL #1 among large Southern utilities in 2016. One year later, Market Strategies International named FPL one of the most trusted electric providers in the U.S.
Looking ahead, FPL remains confident in solar’s future. In fact, the utility projects that solar will definitely outpace both oil and coal combined as a share of its energy mix. For FPL, the message is clear: clean energy isn’t a trend—it’s the future.
For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com/solar.
Florida Power & Light Company, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company
JUNO BEACH, Fla., Nov. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/
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