The Florida Public Service Commission has approved Tampa Electric’s contract to purchase solar power supplied by the Florida Solar I project, a proposed 25MW solar electric generating station, for a 25-year period beginning in 2011. The system will be developed, built, and operated by Energy 5.0 on a 350-acre site in Polk County.
The project will include approximately 100,000 crystalline-silicon-based photovoltaic panels, which will be capable of producing over 48,000 megawatt-hours of electricity per year, or enough output to serve the electric energy needs of more than 3,400 homes.
Tampa Electric filed a petition with the commission in March for approval to purchase the energy generated by Energy 5.0’s Florida Solar I project, and the developer was the successful bidder.
The parties also say the contract will also promote the state’s goal of encouraging the production of renewable energy produced by generating facilities in Florida; provide the basis for significant new investment, economic development and job creation in Polk County and in the state; reduce the environmental impacts associated with electricity generation; protect the company and its customers from technical and operational risks through its energy-only, fixed pricing; and provide fuel diversity benefits.
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