World’s largest solar-powered battery storage is now 75% complete.
- FPL has completed the installation of the first of more than 50,000 battery modules that will make up the world’s largest solar-powered battery.
- Each battery module can store the equivalent of 2,000 iPhone batteries in solar energy. The battery system will be the equivalent of 100 million iPhone batteries when fully charged.
- The FPL Manatee Electricity Storage Center is expected to have a capacity of 409 megawatts (MW) and deliver 900 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy, which is enough to power about 329,000 homes for more over two hours.
Aug 12, 2021, JUNO BEACH, Fla. – Crews installed the first battery modules for the Manatee Energy Storage Center, the world’s largest solar-powered battery storage facility, which is now 75 percent complete with 100 of the 132 total containers now installed, according to Florida Power and Light Company.
The 409-MW FPL Manatee Electricity Storage Center will be capable of delivering 900 MWh of energy, which is enough to power 329,000 homes for more than two hours. The battery, which will be charged by the current Manatee Solar Energy Center, will improve solar predictability by extending its benefits even when the sun isn’t shining, such as at night or on a gloomy day. FPL will counter the requirement to run additional power plants by deploying energy from the batteries when there is a higher demand for electricity, thus decreasing emissions and saving customers money through avoided fuel expenses.
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“With one milestone after another, FPL is following through on its steadfast commitment to make Florida a leader in sustainability and resiliency as we consistently deliver America’s best energy value – electricity that’s not just clean and reliable, but also affordable,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy. “In June, we said goodbye to coal by dismantling FPL’s last coal plant in Florida just as we surpassed 40% of the way toward completing our ’30-by-30’ plan to install 30 million solar panels by 2030. Soon, the world’s largest solar-powered battery will begin serving customers, and we’ll turn our attention to an innovative green hydrogen pilot project – which could unlock the potential for a 100% carbon-free energy future.”
Each battery module weighs more than 200 pounds and has the capacity to store enough solar energy to power 2,000 iPhone batteries. The battery system will be the equivalent of about 100 million iPhone batteries when fully charged. FPL also reported that it has already placed 100 of the 132 energy storage containers and established all 132 of the project’s inverters, in addition to the project’s first battery modules.
“With more than 12 million solar panels installed and more than 40 solar energy centers in operation, FPL is building on its rapid solar expansion with the world’s largest solar-powered battery,” said FPL Vice President of Development Matt Valle, who delivered today’s construction update. “But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. FPL is implementing innovative battery storage projects across the state, transforming Florida’s transportation landscape with more than 1,000 EV chargers and partnering with universities and municipalities on battery systems that leverage cutting-edge microgrid technology.”
The battery system will eventually be made up of 132 energy storage containers spread across a 40-acre parcel of ground, roughly the size of 30 football fields. Each container will carry approximately 400 battery modules, which will be charged by the FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center, which is located nearby. The battery is expected to start serving consumers later this year, according to FPL.
FPL’s quick adoption of cutting-edge battery storage technology
FPL consumers will be able to benefit from solar energy even when the sun isn’t shining – such as at night or on a cloudy day – because of the company’s rapid integration of breakthrough battery storage technology. It will also allow FPL to deliver sustainable energy to customers when demand is highest. FPL will add 700 MW of battery storage to its service region by the end of the decade, which is enough to power 140,000 homes or charge more than 400,000 electric vehicles. This represents an increase of roughly 186 percent from 2021.
Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest energy company in the U.S. as measured by retail electricity produced and sold. The company serves more than 5.6 million customer accounts supporting more than 11 million residents across Florida with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. FPL operates one of the cleanest power generation fleets in the U.S. and in 2020 won the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Excellence Award, presented by PA Consulting, for the fifth time in the last six years. The company was recognized in 2020 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Escalent for the seventh consecutive year. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics, and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utility industry in Fortune’s 2021 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.