State regulators today will consider Florida Power & Light's request to build three solar plants that includes the largest plant of its type in the world.
The staff of the Public Service Commission backs the request, saying FPL's plans for 110 megawatts of solar power meet the requirements of a bill recently passed by the Legislature allowing for a utility to have full-cost recovery of renewable energy projects up to 110 megawatts.
The proposal includes a 25-megawatt plant in DeSoto County, which FPL says would be largest in the world, plus a 75-megawatt solar thermal plant in Martin County and a 10-megawatt plant at the Kennedy Space Center.
FPL spokesman Mayco Villafaúa said in an e-mail to The Miami Herald that the company's goal is to build 300 megawatts over the next seven years.
He said details for a next phase are being worked out. Even so, solar remains a small part of FPL's plans to meet future energy needs.
The utility also is seeking to build two nuclear plants at Turkey Point that would produce 2,200 megawatts, seven times the size of its solar goal for Florida.
The average FPL customer is expected to pay an extra $2.50 a month next year to fund construction of the nuclear plants, which may not be in operation for another decade. Such charges were mandated by a bill passed by the Legislature.
FPL estimates that the solar projects will add 83 cents a year to the average homeowner's bill in 2011, the first year of full service for the three plants, and 31 cents a month over a 25-year period.
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