Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Bay Times article on TECO solar project:
Tampa Electric to build largest solar project in Bay Area
- By Anne Steele, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 4, 2015 11:59am
TAMPA — Tampa Electric will build the largest solar project in the Tampa Bay area, the subsidiary of TECO Energy announced Tuesday.
The 25-megawatt system — which will feature more than 70,000 solar panels on 125 acres of the company’s existing land at the Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach — dwarfs any current solar initiatives in the area, including Tampa Electric’s 2-megawatt installation under construction at Tampa International Airport.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2016 and brings Tampa Electric’s investment in solar since 2000 to more than $50 million.
“We’re pleased to be able to demonstrate our commitment to providing our customers with more renewable energy by taking advantage of declining solar system prices and the land we own at Big Bend,” said Gordon Gillette, president of Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas.
The system would be capable of powering more than 3,500 homes.
“This large-scale facility will benefit our more than 700,000 customers and showcase how a diversified mix of energy resources delivers affordable and reliable energy to meet Florida’s electricity needs now and in the future,” Gillette said.
25 Megawatts isn’t much of our energy pie, but it’s significantly (12 times) more than the 2.135 MW of solar will have at the end of this year (that includes the 2 MW at Tampa International Airport).
Tampa Electric’s current generation mix includes 1700 megawatts of coal at the Big Bend Power Station, 1800 megawatts of natural gas at the H.L. Culbreath Bayside Power Station, as well as 260 megawatts of coal gasification and 580 megawatts of natural gas at the Polk Power Station, which will increase by another 460 megawatts of natural gas in 2017, and 2.135 megawatts of solar.
“Although energy from the sun is free and the costs for solar systems keep going down, it’s too early to predict how Tampa Electric’s investment in additional solar generation will impact overall rates,” said Martha Monfried, manager of communications for TECO Energy.
The continuing decline in the cost of solar and our ability to site in on 125 acres that we already own is why we’re able to build the project at Big Bend.
“Siting this solar project at Big Bend is certain to increase the visibility and understanding of solar power in the Tampa Bay area,” said Hillsborough County Commission Chair Sandy Murman.
The Big Bend project would be the second large-scale solar installation being built by Tampa Electric. The first, at TIA, is under construction on the top floor of the airport’s south economy parking garage. Scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, it will be able to produce enough electricity to power up to 250 homes, or roughly the equivalent of the airport’s new 1.4-mile automated people mover.
The company has also installed solar systems at LEGOLAND Florida, the Florida Aquarium, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, the MVC, as well as Walker Middle School and Middleton High School.
The 25-MW solar facility at Big Bend will further reduce Tampa Electric’s overall carbon dioxide emissions. The utility is an industry leader in emissions reductions, having completed a $1.2 billion agreement to dramatically reduce overall emissions.
