MIAMI, Fla. – As South Florida prepares for Game Day, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) today debuted a multi-purpose solar installation at Bayfront Park to power the downtown festivities with more clean energy. Beyond the game, the solar installation will serve as a lasting landmark and symbolize Miami’s sustainable and resilient future.
The canopy-like solar structure covers nearly 400 feet of walkway around the venue, now known as the FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park. The 500-panel solar installation, which also includes seven solar trees located around the park, cumulatively generates about 250 kilowatts of emissions-free energy – more than the power used during the amphitheater’s concert season.
“With hundreds of thousands of football fans descending on our community and millions more worldwide tuning in for the big game, the FPL Solar Amphitheater showcases the bold, innovative spirit of Miami and the city’s relentless commitment to sustainability and resiliency,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. “Doubling as a test site, this new solar landmark enables FPL to conduct cutting-edge research as we bring even more affordable clean energy to our customers. Importantly, the solar array demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together toward a common goal.”
FPL partnered with Bayfront Park Management Trust, the City of Miami and Live Nation on this unique solar installation for the amphitheater. In addition to generating solar energy, the array serves as a research hub and test bed for groundbreaking “bifacial solar panel” technology, which, unlike traditional panels, is able to produce energy on both sides.
“The FPL Solar Amphitheater ushers in an era of innovation for this historic park,” said Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo, chairman of the Bayfront Park Management Trust. “By day, the solar canopy and trees produce renewable energy and advance our sustainability mission. And, when the sun goes down, the array’s colorful lights add a new dynamic to Miami’s iconic skyline.”
The solar canopy and trees feature LED lighting that illuminate the venue at night and can be programmed to change colors to coincide with special events.
“This is an exciting time for Bayfront Park,” said FPL Solar Amphitheater General Manager Joseph Nieman. “We’re thrilled to be able to help support the growth of renewable energy in Florida and to showcase this great sustainable technology to concert-goers.”
The FPL Solar Amphitheater joins more than a dozen FPL solar installations in Miami-Dade County, including solar trees at parks and the FPL Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center, which can power up to 15,000 homes with solar when the sun is shining.
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Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest energy company in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, serving more than 5 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million+ people across the state of Florida. FPL’s typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30% lower than the latest national average and among the lowest in the U.S. FPL’s service reliability is better than 99.98%, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all electric companies nationwide. The company was recognized in 2018 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International for the fifth consecutive year. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,700 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune’s 2019 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of Gulf Power Company, which serves more than 460,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.GulfPower.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
Bayfront Park Management Trust
The Bayfront Park Management Trust was created in 1987, by the Miami City Commission, to manage Bayfront and Maurice A. Ferré Parks "for the purpose of ensuring maximum community utilization and enjoyment." The Trust receives no government support for its operations, supporting all of its efforts through earned income. The nine (9) member board is led by Commissioner Joe Carollo.