Florida public power utility OUC recently celebrated the grand opening of the largest solar energy center in its history.
The 149-megawatt project, located east of St. Cloud, Fla., on two separate 600 plus acre sites, will more than double OUC’s existing solar capacity.
The addition of Harmony II and Storey Bend Solar Energy Centers brings the total capacity of OUC’s solar energy portfolio to 271.5 MW.
On April 10, leaders from OUC, AdventHealth and Comcast NBCUniversal gathered in Osceola County to unveil the Harmony II and Storey Bend Solar Energy Centers. The two entities have signed on as anchor tenants – subscribing to a significant portion of each solar energy center through OUC’s SunChoice community solar program. SunChoice enables commercial and residential customers to support solar energy, while offsetting all or part of their electric consumption. Customers can meet their sustainability goals, without installing or maintaining the infrastructure themselves.
“At OUC, we believe renewable energy isn't just the path to clean energy; it's part of the future of doing business in Central Florida,” said Clint Bullock, OUC General Manager & CEO. “As we officially launch these two solar energy centers, we’re more than doubling OUC’s solar energy capacity and helping our customers reach their clean energy goals while fulfilling our vision to be an innovative solutions provider and partner of choice in Central Florida."
AdventHealth will offset 50% of its energy consumption in OUC’s service territory by subscribing to the Harmony II Solar Energy Center. Comcast NBCUniversal, parent company of Universal Destinations & Experiences, will purchase and match 45% of its existing operational energy consumption at Universal Orlando Resort through their subscription to the Storey Bend Solar Energy Center.
Florida Renewable Partners, a wholly owned subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., developed the solar energy centers. OUC has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement to receive the energy generated at Harmony II and Storey Bend.
