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Frequently Asked Questions
What is solar energy used for?There are numerous uses for solar energy, including heating water for domestic use, space heating of buildings, drying agricultural products and generating electrical energy.
What are some advantages of solar energy?After the initial investment in a 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 and subject to price volatility, and solar energy can help reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Solar energy is also clean and renewable, which helps protect our environment.
Why can’t solar energy be used to supply all our energy needs?The initial cost of constructing solar energy facilities is high, so the overall cost of solar energy is also high compared to more traditional forms of power generation. In addition, energy from the sun is intermittent and varies from region to region. Solar energy also requires quite a large area of land for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency. This would not be practical in providing for the energy needs of large numbers of consumers. Finally, no solar energy can be produced during nighttime although some relatively small applications may have battery backup systems.
How many solar energy plants are used to generate electricity in the U.S. and where are they located?Eleven plants are located in California and two in Arizona. No statistics are being collected on solar plants that produce less than 1 megawatt of electricity, so there may be smaller solar plants in a number of other states. (Source: Energy Information Administration, Department of Energy)
What solar facilities does FPL Energy operate?FPL Energy is the larger generator of solar energy in the country, operating seven Solar Electric Generating System (SEGS) facilities in California’s Mojave Desert.
What percentage of generation does solar energy represent in FPL Energy’s portfolio?Solar energy represents about 1 percent of FPL Energy’s generation. |
