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Stew Lilker’s

Columbia County Observer

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FP&L Bringing Solar Power to Columbia County Along With 200 Jobs During Build Out

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Tonight, Florida Power & Light is asking the County 5 to amend the Future Land Use Map of a 253.25 acre parcel from Highway Interchange to Agriculture. The reason: FP&L intends to construct and operate a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy center or a solar farm on property which it owns. It is expected that once construction begins, 200 jobs will be created during the construction. 

The FP&L solar farm will have the capacity to produce up to 74.5 megawatts of solar power. The new energy center will require a new electrical substation and a connection to the existing distribution system.

The proposed site is predominately used as pastureland and is located outside of the urban service area. The solar energy center will be a secured and unmanned.

The facility will not result in additional utility demands or utility connections, such as potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, fire protection, and transportation.

FP&L states that solar energy center is being designed and constructed to avoid or minimize potential adverse effects on natural man-made resources. Additionally, the center will not produce air pollution, hazardous waste, noise, or require transportable fuels.


The construction is expected to last about 18 months and generate about 200 jobs.

On the Grid

When the solar farm goes online the area beneath the solar equipment will be grassed or covered by other vegetative groundcover. There will be a minimum 50 foot setback between the equipment and the FP&L property line.

Along the perimeter of the solar fields a security fence will be installed and the project will not require outdoor lighting other than for security and safety.

Neighboring properties will not be impacted by the proposed solar energy center and no habitable buildings are proposed for the site.  

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