Arcadia, Florida - Rural DeSoto County is mostly known for cattle and orange groves, but now power is putting it on the map.
"This is the largest one in the country," says Eric Silagy of Florida Power & Light, while standing in the middle of a field filled with solar panels.
FPL's giant DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center officially starts producing electricity Tuesday and workers are spiffing up the place for a presidential visit.
While the solar center is the focus of Barack Obama's stop in DeSoto County, in nearby Arcadia, the owner of a new restaurant hopes the historic small town will also get a spot in the sun.
"So we're glad that he's coming," says Dennis Tyson of Mary Margaret's Tea & Biscuit. "He'll make people know where we are."
President Obama will use the solar center as a backdrop for an energy announcement. He's expected to announce plans to invest stimulus funds into clean energy and smart grid technology.
As for FPL officials, they say the president's stop here could energize the production of solar power. "It shows a recognition that Florida is on the right track," says Silagy of the attention from Obama.
The acres of solar panels will generate electricity for some 3,000 homes, but the facility cost $150 million to build. Cost is the big drawback for solar centers. They're more expensive to build than traditional power plants using coal or natural gas.
But Silagy says there are also benefits. "Remember, the fuel is always free. We're also producing no pollution at all-no emission."
And that's why FPL officials like Silagy believe solar power has a future in this state. "Absolutely, it doesn't say Sunshine State on the [license] plate for no reason."
10 Connects News
"This is the largest one in the country," says Eric Silagy of Florida Power & Light, while standing in the middle of a field filled with solar panels.
FPL's giant DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center officially starts producing electricity Tuesday and workers are spiffing up the place for a presidential visit.
While the solar center is the focus of Barack Obama's stop in DeSoto County, in nearby Arcadia, the owner of a new restaurant hopes the historic small town will also get a spot in the sun.
"So we're glad that he's coming," says Dennis Tyson of Mary Margaret's Tea & Biscuit. "He'll make people know where we are."
President Obama will use the solar center as a backdrop for an energy announcement. He's expected to announce plans to invest stimulus funds into clean energy and smart grid technology.
As for FPL officials, they say the president's stop here could energize the production of solar power. "It shows a recognition that Florida is on the right track," says Silagy of the attention from Obama.
The acres of solar panels will generate electricity for some 3,000 homes, but the facility cost $150 million to build. Cost is the big drawback for solar centers. They're more expensive to build than traditional power plants using coal or natural gas.
But Silagy says there are also benefits. "Remember, the fuel is always free. We're also producing no pollution at all-no emission."
And that's why FPL officials like Silagy believe solar power has a future in this state. "Absolutely, it doesn't say Sunshine State on the [license] plate for no reason."
10 Connects News
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