DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Daytona International Speedway (DIS) today announced the completion of the FPL Solar Circuit, a system of more than 7,000 solar panels that generate electricity for the Speedway's operations and FPL's 4.8 million customer accounts when the sun is shining.
The FPL Solar Circuit's total generating capacity is approximately 2.1 megawatts (2,100 kilowatts), ranking the Speedway in the top five U.S. professional sports facilities for solar energy installations, according to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association.
"With innovative partners like FPL, DAYTONA Rising has transformed the Speedway into the world's first motorsports stadium," said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. "The FPL Solar Circuit complements the advanced technologies we've used to modernize the stadium and enhance the experience for race fans."
"We're honored to play a significant role in the redevelopment of such an iconic destination that hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors to our state each and every year and reaches millions of others around the globe," said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. "This partnership with the Speedway is a shining example of Florida's innovation and advanced economy for the world to see."
The FPL Solar Circuit is comprised of three canopy-like structures – located at the Midway, Sprint FANZONE and Lot 10 parking area – covered with solar panels. One of the largest distributed-generation installations in Florida, FPL Solar Circuit is helping to power the Speedway's operations and FPL's 4.8 million customers.
The clean energy generated by the installation will prevent the emission of an estimated 2,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year – equivalent to an average vehicle driving more than 2 million laps around DIS.
The FPL Solar Circuit is also equipped with high-tech data gathering equipment that will be used as part of a multi-year research study the utility is conducting to improve the integration of solar energy and smart grid technologies.
FPL currently operates three solar power plants and numerous smaller solar installations for a total of more than 110 megawatts of solar generation in Florida today. During 2016, the company is tripling its solar capacity, adding more than 225 megawatts of new solar capacity, including: three new solar power plants; major installations at the Speedway, Florida International University and other sites; and several smaller community-based arrays.
FPL is a subsidiary of Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc., which is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. NextEra Energy Resources is the Official Renewable Energy Provider of both Daytona International Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
EDITORS NOTE: B-roll/time-lapse video of construction and other images from FPL Solar Circuit at Daytona International Speedway are available through links below.
About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving more than 4.8 million customer accounts across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30 percent lower than the latest national average and, in 2015, was the lowest in Florida among reporting utilities for the sixth year in a row. FPL's service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2015 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,800 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, including being ranked in the top 10 worldwide for innovativeness and community responsibility as part of Fortune's 2015 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. For more information, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
About DAYTONA Rising
DAYTONA Rising is a $400 million reimagining of an American icon – Daytona International Speedway. Five expanded and redesigned entrances, or "injectors," lead fans to a series of escalators and elevators, transporting them to three different concourse levels. Each level features spacious social areas, or "neighborhoods," along the nearly mile-long frontstretch. Daytona International Speedway now features 101,500 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, twice as many restrooms and three times as many concession stands. In addition, the Speedway features over 60 luxury suites with trackside views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests. DAYTONA Rising: Reimagining an American Icon is expected to create 6,300 jobs, $300 million in labor income and over $85 million in tax revenue.
Toyota, Florida Hospital, Chevrolet and Sunoco are Founding Partners of DAYTONA Rising, joining the Speedway to help provide the very best experience for fans through more than 80,000 total square feet of engagement areas, branding rights for four of the injectors/entrances and four of the new neighborhoods.
Barton Malow is the design-builder for the project. In addition to DAYTONA Rising, Barton Malow has renovated the University of Michigan "Big House" and the Rose Bowl.
ROSSETTI is the architect for DAYTONA Rising. ROSSETTI is an award-winning architectural design and planning firm with 46 years of expertise in sports and entertainment projects including the Green Bay Packers Titletown, renovations for the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, a new headquarters for the LA Lakers, five MLS stadiums and the new retractable roof over the USTA's Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Race fans can follow the history of the DAYTONA Rising project by visiting www.DAYTONARising.com and connecting with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube. Also, fans can see the new motorsports stadium up close by taking one of the daily tours available at the Speedway on non-event days throughout the year. Visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/tours or the Speedway Ticket and Tours Building for more information. For tickets and more information on Daytona International Speedway events, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.
About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is the home of "The Great American Race" - the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Sprint Cup event garners most of the attention - as well as the largest audience in motorsports - the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe, thus earning it the title of "World Center of Racing." In addition to eight major weekends of racing activity, the Speedway will host the inaugural Country 500 – The Great American Music Fest at DAYTONA over Memorial Day Weekend in 2016. Rarely a week goes by that the Speedway grounds are not used for events that include civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training.
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SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company