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?


NEER Solar Animated GIF

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 alternating 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 7,800 MW of operating solar projects (as of Dec. 31, 2024), representing universal-scale solar facilities in 31 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 is the East Point Energy Center?

The East Point Energy Center has developed a proposal to establish a large-scale solar energy facility in Schoharie County, New York. The East Point Energy Center would significantly contribute to New York’s efforts to meet New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s renewable energy goals.

 

How much energy will the Energy Center generate?

The East Point Energy Center will generate 50 megawatts of solar energy.

 

How will the local community benefit from this project?

The East Point Energy Center is expected to position Schoharie County as a leader in renewable energy and help New York meet its renewable energy goals.

 

Are there other benefits that the project will bring?

Governor Cuomo announced that New York should produce half of its total power from renewable sources by 2030, and projects like this will help meet that need.

This new source of clean, renewable power produces no air or water pollution and is in line with the state’s Clean Energy Standard and Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative, which are fostering new opportunities for renewable power that will help New York transform its energy generation system.

 

What is NextEra Energy Resources?

NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, is a clean-energy leader and one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S. NextEra Energy Resources is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida–based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). NextEra Energy, Inc. is a leading clean-energy company with consolidated revenues of approximately $16.2 billion and approximately 14,700 employees in 30 states and Canada as of year-end 2016.

 

How is the project being approved?

Permitting and approval for the East Point Energy Center is overseen by New York State’s Article 10 process.

 

What is Article 10?

The Power NY Act of 2011 established a process for the siting of electric generating facilities and repowering projects. As part of the process, a multi-agency Siting Board is charged with conducting the permitting process for power plants of 25 megawatts or greater. The Power NY Act also encourages investments in clean plants and affords communities more opportunities to participate in the siting process. Learn more here.