What is solar energy used for?

Once converted into electricity, solar energy is used in homes and businesses just like any other form of electricity. 

 

What are some advantages of solar energy?

After the initial investment in solar-energy equipment, the costs are minimal since the sun provides free "fuel." These facilities are not affected by the supply and demand of fuel or subject to price volatility, and solar energy can help reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of energy. Solar energy is also clean and renewable, which helps protect our environment.

 

How Does Solar Energy Work?


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1. As light hits the solar panels, the solar energy is converted into direct current (DC) electricity.

2. The direct current flows from the panels into power inverters and is converted into altering current (AC) electricity, which is suitable for use by homes and businesses.

3. The AC electricity from the power inverters is collected using cables and delivered to a central electrical substation, where it passes through a power transformer.

4. The electricity travels through transformers, and the voltage is boosted for delivery onto the transmission lines.

5. Clean, renewable, American-made solar electricity is delivered to homes and businesses.

 

How many solar facilities does your company have and where are they located?

Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy Resources is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and the sun. We currently have ownership interests in approximately 3,400 MW of operating solar projects (as of Dec. 31, 2021), representing universal-scale solar facilities in 29 states, as well as multiple small-scale (distributed generation) solar projects.

 

Are solar facilities good for the environment?

Solar energy emits no pollutants and the overall impact of solar on human health is overwhelmingly positive. To learn more, view our solar environment page.

 

What percentage of generation does solar energy represent in the NextEra Energy Resources' portfolio?

Solar energy represents about 13 percent of NextEra Energy Resources' generation.

 

What do you look for in a site when building a renewable energy project?

We look for a location with good wind or solar resources, landowners who are interested in hosting our equipment and proximity to transmission lines.

 

If I have land and want you to assess its suitability for a renewable energy project, how do I get you to come out to look at it?

We cannot guarantee that we will assess every parcel of land presented to us. However, you can contact us for more information.

 

How much land does a solar project require?

Typically, a project will require 5 to 8 acres of land for each megawatt of solar energy capacity.

 

Is there construction traffic?

Yes. During construction there will be additional traffic. Although the construction period is only a matter of months, it will require heavy equipment, including bulldozers, graders, trenching machines, concrete trucks, flatbed trucks and large cranes.

 

How long will it take to complete construction?

It depends on the size of the project. However, 12 to 18 months is a reasonable time frame to build most solar projects.

 


What are the components that make up a battery energy storage system?

A storage system consists of:

  • Individual battery cells.
  • These cells are collected into modules and housed in a specially designed, climate-controlled storage container.
  • The racks fill containers, not unlike a storage container you’d see on a ship or truck.
  • The containers are paired with inverters to convert DC to AC electricity.
  • Can be paired with a renewable energy asset (solar, wind) or stand alone.
 

What is the value of energy storage for both a utility and its customers?

Battery energy storage helps optimize the way the power grid delivers electricity to customers including:           

  • Reduces fluctuations in voltage
  • Reduces energy losses and waste
  • Avoids the need for some system upgrades, including big transmission projects
  • Extends the hours a renewable energy project can operate, i.e., even after the sun goes down or the wind stops blowing
  • Allows customers to enjoy more renewable energy, more hours of the day

Energy storage delivers several advantages to the power grid and our customers. What makes energy storage attractive is that it can store electricity and deliver it later at a more appropriate time, in the required amount, to either grid operators or direct consumers.

 

What type of batteries will the storage system employ?

We primarily use lithium-ion battery technology, which has benefited from years of research and development and has been proven to be safe, efficient and cost-effective for utility scale battery energy storage. We are always evaluating other battery chemistries and technologies to continue to advance this growing industry.

 

Do battery energy storage systems present a fire risk?

Fires involving battery energy storage systems are rare. At NextEra Energy Resources, the safety of our employees, neighbors and the public are always our highest priority. Responsible energy production begins with preparation from day one.

  • Batteries used in our facilities undergo rigorous industry testing and certification by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This ensures that the cell and module designs are robust.
  • Battery modules are housed in fully enclosed containers, like shipping containers.
  • Each container is equipped with fire protection and explosion control systems to comply with the National Fire Protection Association.
  • We have sensors that alarm when an abnormal condition arises. Additionally, our facilities are monitored 24/7 by our Renewable Operations Control Center, which can remotely shut down any affected site.
  • We work and train with local first responders and fire officials to coordinate any response, in the unlikely event of a fire.

 

Has your company built other energy storage systems?

NextEra Energy Resources affiliates have more than 2.6 GW of operational energy storage, including:

WEST 

  • Arlington Energy Center III, California 
  • Arlington Solar, California 
  • Blythe 110 Energy Storage, California 
  • Blythe II Energy Storage, California 
  • Blythe III Energy Storage, California 
  • Blythe IV Storage, California 
  • Buena Vista Energy Center, New Mexico 
  • Casa Mesa Energy Storage, New Mexico
  • Desert Peak, California 
  • Desert Sunlight Energy Storage, California 
  • Dodge Flat Solar, Nevada 
  • Fish Springs Ranch Solar, Nevada 
  • Jackson Fuller Energy Storage, Colorado
  • McCoy Energy Storage, California 
  • Neptune Energy Center, Colorado 
  • North Central Valley Storage, California 
  • Paulsell Energy Storage, California
  • Pima Battery Energy Storage System, Arizona 
  • Pinal Central Energy Storage, Arizona 
  • Proxima Energy Storage, California
  • Resurgence Solar I and II, California 
  • Saint Energy Storage II, Arizona 
  • Silver State South Energy Storage, Nevada
  • Sky Ranch Energy Storage, New Mexico
  • Sonoran Energy Storage, Arizona
  • Storey Energy Storage, Arizona
  • Sunlight Storage II, Califronia
  • Thunder Wolf Energy Center, Colorado 
  • Troutdale Energy Storage, Oregon
  • Wheatridge Solar, Oregon 
  • Wilmot Energy Storage, Arizona 
  • Yellow Pine Energy Center I, Nevada 
SOUTH
  • Blue Summit Energy Storage, Texas 
  • Cool Springs Solar, Georgia 
  • Inertia Energy Storage, Texas
  • Shamrock Energy Storage, Texas
NORTHEAST 
  • Casco Bay Battery Energy Storage System, Maine 
  • East Hampton Energy Storage, New York
  • Elmira Energy Storage, Ontario 
  • Green Mountain Battery Energy Storage, Pennsylvania 
  • Lee Dekalb Storage, Illinois
  • Mantua Creek Energy Storage, New Jersey
  • Minuteman Storage, Massachusetts 
  • Montauk Energy Center, New York 
  • Parry Energy Storage, Parry Sound, Ontario 
MIDWEST 
  • Breckinridge Energy Storage, Oklahoma
  • Gopher Energy Storage, Anoka and Isanti counties, Minnesota 
  • Minco II Energy Storage, Oklahoma
  • Rush Springs Energy Storage, Oklahoma 
  • Searcy Solar, Arkansas 
  • Woodward Energy Storage, Oklahoma

Additionally, over one-third of the new solar projects we’re developing for customers now includes a storage component.