The future of clean energy is being assembled at Pelican Beach Park in Satellite Beach in the form of a solar array canopy to create shade and power, paid for through Florida Power & Light’s SolarNow program.
On average, the array to be completed by the end of the month should generate 25 kilowatts per hour for five to six hours per day.
That power will be available at the canopies with the extra power generated by the canopies’ panels going directly into the grid.
The pilot SolarNow program, for which FPL customers agree to pay $9 monthly, started in 2016 and has been popular in Brevard County in the form of solar trees rather than a canopy.
The funds generated by the enrollment fees go toward the construction of solar energy projects such as solar canopies and free-standing solar trees in local public areas, such as parks, zoos, schools and museums. FPL installs, operates and maintains the projects under lease agreements like one approved by the Satellite Beach City Council for the Pelican Beach Park canopy.
It was at a Brevard Zoo solar trees presentation that Satellite Beach Environmental Programs Coordinator Nick Sanzone started inquiring as to how SolarNow could work best in Satellite Beach. That led to the solar canopy option to provide shade for parking and special events at Pelican Beach Park.
Perhaps more important than the actual electricity or shade produced by the canopy will be the interest in the possibilities of solar energy by motorists passing by along nearby State Road A1A, Sanzone said.
“This is a good opportunity (for use of the SolarNow program) meant to inspire learning (about solar) for anyone who sees it and to prompt them to ask questions,’’ he said.
