Florida is making significant strides in renewable energy. The Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA), in collaboration with participating Florida municipal electric utilities and Origis Energy, has announced the completion of the Rice Creek Solar Center. This new facility provides approximately 75 MWac of carbon-free electricity to 12 cities across the state, marking a major milestone in Florida’s transition to clean power.
Expanding Florida’s Solar Center Infrastructure
The Rice Creek site is a key addition to the Florida Municipal Solar Project—one of the largest municipal-backed solar initiatives in the United States. Located in Putnam County near Palatka, it features 213,000 solar panels and 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: 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, the Town of Havana, and Winter Park. For New Smyrna Beach, Newberry, and Havana, this marks their first time integrating solar power into their energy mix.
Jacob Williams, General Manager and CEO of FMPA, highlighted the project’s impact. He explained that expanding solar power benefits communities by providing affordable and clean energy, emphasizing the role of collaboration in delivering cost-effective, 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 facility 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 all are completed, the entire initiative will include seven sites expected to generate a total of approximately 525 MWac.
FMPA provides wholesale power to 33 municipal electric utilities in Florida, serving over 3 million residents and supporting more than 4,700 jobs. The agency’s mission is to supply low-cost, reliable, and clean power to its member utilities. Origis Energy is a leading renewable energy company focused on decarbonization that develops solar, energy storage, and clean hydrogen projects across the United States.
The completion of the Rice Creek Solar Center strengthens Florida’s renewable energy infrastructure while demonstrating the value of municipal collaboration in achieving clean energy goals. The Florida Municipal Solar Project continues to grow, bringing sustainable power to more communities across the state.