Martin County, in east central Florida, is soon to be home to one of the world’s largest hybrid solar panel plants as it nears completion. The new solar-thermal plant is actually being joined next to an existing combined-cycle natural gas-fired plant. FP&L’s decision to join the plants together actually saved them millions of dollars as the gas plant already provided the steam turbines, transmission lines and cooling towers. The project is said to be under the $476 million budget.
Since construction began in 2008, 1,000 workers have come to the plant site. Luckily, the permanent labor to run this small plant is very small- just maintenance and mirror cleaning crews.
Upon its completion at the end of 2010, the 75-megawatt facility will generate enough electricity to power 11,000 homes.
Source: South Florida Business Journal - by Paul Brinkmann
Read more: FP&L’s solar plant nears completion | South Florida Business Journal

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, we consume about one-quarter of our electricity for lighting, at a cost of more than $37 billion annually! Energy efficient lighting can reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and prevent excess air pollution from power plants. Superior Lighting, a local light store located in North Miami gives suggestions for evaluating a lamp against its peers:
Image courtesy of Greenbiz.org