NextEra Energy Inc.'s Florida Power & Light Co. is planning to build three solar plants to triple its photovoltaic capacity by the end of 2016.
The utility is adding more than 1 million panels to increase output capacity to about 335 megawatts from 110 megawatts, according to a statement from Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra on Monday.
Florida Power & Light "is optimistic that it could potentially add even more solar energy generation to complement its natural gas and nuclear resources while continuing to meet the electricity needs of Florida's growing economy and population," NextEra said.
The utility serves more than 4.7 million customers and anticipates having more than 5 million by 2019. In addition to more solar power, Florida Power & Light, which last year retired two fossil-fuel plants, intends to add more capacity from high-efficiency natural gas facilities. It plans to issue requests for proposals for those