FPL | Martin Solar FAQs
 

Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center FAQs

 

What is the Martin Next Generation Solar Center?

The Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center is the world’s first hybrid solar energy center. It features innovative technology that connects a 75-megawatt solar thermal array with an existing combined-cycle natural gas power plant, reducing the use of natural gas when heat from the sun is available to help produce the steam needed to generate electricity. The solar facility consists of approximately 190,000 mirrors over roughly 500 acres of land at the existing FPL Martin plant location.

How does solar thermal technology work?

The technology uses solar collectors with mirrored surfaces that reflect and concentrate the sunlight onto receiver tubes filled with a heat transfer fluid. After being heated, this fluid travels to a heat exchanger where it converts water into steam, which is used in the steam turbine generator at the existing Martin gas-fired plant to produce electricity.

What are the benefits of using solar thermal energy?

Sunlight is a free, unlimited resource. The energy produced is clean and emission-free. The mirrors used do not require fuel or additional cooling water and produce no waste.

How many people will the solar facility serve?

FPL currently projects that this solar thermal array will produce an average of 155,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. At its peak, this is enough power to serve the requirements of almost 11,000 homes or 26,000 people.

What are the environmental benefits of this facility?

The expected reduction of systemwide greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the Martin solar facility is projected to be approximately 2.75 million tons over a 30-year period. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this is the equivalent of removing more than 18,700 cars from the road every year for the life of the project. The implementation of solar thermal technology will also decrease fossil-fuel usage by approximately 41 billion cubic feet of natural gas and more than 600,000 barrels of oil – all of which is imported into Florida.

Will the project impact any wetlands area?

When this portion of the site was originally licensed in 1989, it was for a coal-powered generation unit. This license made sure that all impacted areas were properly mitigated and created a 1,130-acre conservation easement as well as 291 acres of preservation. We have protected and maintained the easement and preservation areas for more than two decades. This area now is used for clean, renewable solar energy instead of coal.

What will happen to the plant during a hurricane?

Safety is always our No. 1 concern. FPL has ensured that all equipment conforms to the required structural laws related to wind. This project incorporates an advanced aluminum truss system that can sustain winds of up to 130 miles per hour.