Orange County, Fla., 5.9-MW PV Array Dedicated
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) proudly announced the completion of the first solar farm in Orange County on Wednesday in a dedication ceremony that included Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and OUC Board President Maylen Dominguez and OUC Commissioner Dan Kirby. The Stanton Solar Farm, which is located at OUC’s Curtis H. Stanton Energy Center along Innovation Way in east Orange County, is generating enough renewable energy to power more than 600 homes.
Duke Energy Renewables will own and operate the 5.9-MW solar PV array, which was built by Regebesis Power LLC. OUC will purchase the green power from the system for the next 20 years.
“This agreement is a cost effective way for OUC to incorporate more alternative energy sources into our portfolio and to study the impact large-scale solar projects have on our electric distribution system,” Dominguez said. OUC is now the only utility in the state with solar, landfill gas, natural gas and coal generation all on the same site.
Mayor Jacobs said the project further demonstrates OUC’s and Orange County’s commitment to renewable energy and to the community. “We’re thrilled to partner with the OUC on another renewable energy project for our community,” she said. “Together with the 1-MW solar array atop the Orange County Convention Center and our latest landfill gas-to-energy project, we’re committed to developing more clean energy sources for the future.”
The solar farm further reinforces Orlando’s status as a Solar America City, said Orlando Mayor Dyer. “A key part of the City’s Green Works Orlando initiative is investing in the next generation of clean, green energy, like solar, which will lead to new high-tech, high-wage jobs for our community, diversify our economy further and continue to help us become the most environmentally-friendly City in the country,” he said.
The solar farm’s 25,172 solar modules, which are clearly visible along Innovation Way, will tilt automatically toward the sun as it moves across the sky each day. The patented single-axis tracking system increases electricity output by up to 30 percent and can withstand Category-4 hurricane-strength winds by moving into a stow position before a major storm arrives.
“In OUC, Duke Energy Renewables has found a partner that recognizes the importance of incorporating renewable energy into long-term plans to meet demand for electricity,” said Duke Energy Renewables Vice President of Development Brian Stallman. “We look forward to helping OUC deliver zero-emission electricity from the Stanton Solar Farm to its customers for decades to come.”
“OUC has demonstrated leadership with its renewable energy strategy, and they have been exemplary partners throughout the entire construction process. We are confident that we will have a highly successful and industry leading solar farm,” said Regenesis Power Chief Operations Officer John Pinholster.
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