ORLANDO, Fla. – The city of Orlando has a lofty goal of producing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced Thursday, and becoming the "most sustainable city in the Southest."
At a dedication event for the Orlando Utility Co.'s new solar farm at the Stanton Energy Center on South Alafaya Trail, Dyer said the new panels will produce enough electricity to power City Hall and all 17 Orlando Fire Department stations.
The OUC Kenneth P. Ksionek Community Solar Farm, named for OUC’s general manager and CEO, will help Orlando reach its goal of becoming a 100 percent renewable energy city by 2030, according to city officials.
"We've made a commitment to go totally renewable within the city government by 2030 and as a community by 2050, so I think the city has to lead by example," Dyer said.
Orlando residents will also benefit from the solar farm. More than half of the 37,544 solar panels' output will be available to OUC residential and commercial customers.
The city's subscription to the new solar farm is part of Orlando's Green Works initiative.