SALT Energy has recently installed the largest rooftop solar system in Florida, as reported by Electrek.
The rooftop solar panel is a 3.24 MW solar project installed on the roof of Bad Spices in Sweetwater, Florida in Miami-Dade County. Currently, it is the largest privately-owned solar project in the state.
The company used flat roof racks by PanelClaw and the solar panels were manufacturer by SunPower. With the new rooftop solar installation, it will offset approximately 80 percent of the factory's electricity usage.
This is not the first time the company installed a rooftop solar system for Badia Spices. In 2019, they also installed a 529-kW rooftop solar array on their facility in Doral, Florida.
SALT Energy is a subsidiary of Salt Service, based in Washington, DC, that specializes in hurricane-proven solar arrays in Florida and the Caribbean. The rooftop solar panel is expected to provide clean energy to the factory, reduce the company's electricity bills, and help the company move towards a more sustainable energy source. As a result, this project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2,744 metric tons per year. Additionally, the solar array will provide educational opportunities for students in the area, as the company is partnering with the local school district to create a solar energy and engineering program.
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Commercial Rooftop Solar in Florida Booms
Solar power installations are becoming more common in Florida with a significant increase in commercial uptake. This is due to a growing number of big-name companies realizing the value of putting solar panels arrays in roofs and parking garages.
Earlier this month, the Cape Canaveral Community Center in Cape Canaveral in Florida completes its construction of a new facility with a rooftop solar array. ESA built the 72-panel, 48 kW array, which is also the city's first rooftop solar initiative.
This is the result of the partnership between the Cape Canaveral Community Center and ESA. The system aims to help the city meet its decarbonization goals and power all of its buildings and facilities with locally generated, clean energy by 2035.
Other companies, such as Walmart, have also taken the plunge into commercial solar in Florida. The retail giant has installed solar arrays on the rooftops of its stores in the Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville areas. The company plans to expand its solar arrays to more stores in the future.
Additionally, the City of Miami has recently announced its commitment to powering all its buildings and facilities with renewable energy by 2050. To achieve this goal, the city has already installed solar panels on several of its buildings and parking garages.
Overall, commercial rooftop solar in Florida is booming with many big-name companies and cities taking the plunge into solar power. This is due to their commitment to decarbonization, as well as the cost savings associated with solar energy. With more companies and cities getting on board, Florida could soon become a leader in renewable energy.
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