Florida is making significant strides in renewable energy. The Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA), along with participating Florida municipal electric utilities and Origis Energy, has announced the completion of the Rice Creek Solar Center. This Solar Center now provides approximately 75 MWac of carbon-free electricity to 12 cities across Florida. The completion of the Rice Creek Solar Energy Center marks a major milestone in the state's transition to clean power.
Expanding Florida’s Solar Center Infrastructure
Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) and Origis Energy have completed the Rice Creek Solar Center. This facility will deliver nearly 75 MWac of clean electricity to 12 Florida cities. It marks another step in expanding renewable energy across the state.
Rice Creek Solar is part of the Florida Municipal Solar Project. It is among the largest municipal-backed solar initiatives in the United States. The site, located in Putnam County near Palatka, features 213,000 solar panels. It generates enough electricity to power about 14,000 homes.
Municipal Utilities Benefiting from Solar Power
Twelve municipal utilities will receive power from the new facility. These include Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Homestead, Keys Energy Services (Key West), Kissimmee Utility Authority, Lake Worth Beach, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach Utilities, Newberry, Ocala, Town of Havana and Winter Park. New Smyrna Beach, Newberry, and Havana are integrating solar power into their energy mix for the first time.
Jacob Williams, General Manager and CEO of FMPA, highlighted the project’s impact. He stated that expanding solar power benefits communities through affordable and clean energy. He emphasized the role of collaboration in achieving cost-effective and carbon-free power.
FMPA coordinates the project, while the 12 municipal utilities purchase the generated power. Origis Energy, based in Miami, is responsible for building, owning and operating the facility.
Future Expansion of the Florida Municipal Solar Project
This project is part of a broader expansion of the Florida Municipal Solar Project. A fourth facility, Whistling Duck Solar, is under construction in Levy County. Once completed, the initiative will include seven sites. It is expected to generate a total of approximately 525 MWac.
FMPA provides wholesale power to 33 municipal electric utilities in Florida. The agency serves over 3 million residents and supports more than 4,700 jobs. Its mission is to supply low-cost, reliable and clean power to member utilities. Origis Energy is a leading renewable energy company focused on decarbonization. The firm develops solar, energy storage and clean hydrogen projects across the United States.
The completion of Rice Creek Solar strengthens Florida’s renewable energy infrastructure. It demonstrates the value of municipal collaboration in achieving clean energy goals. The Florida Municipal Solar Project continues to grow, bringing sustainable power to more communities.