News

March 15, 2018

NovaSol Energy Unveils New Solar Farm
in City of Bartow

Article Image

NovaSol Energy announced the unveiling of a new solar farm in the city of Bartow. Utilizing over 28,000 high efficiency 72 cell solar panels and string inverters, the solar farm is expected to generate approximately 5 to 6% of the city’s annual energy requirements, ranking the city in the top ten largest municipal solar facilities in the state of Florida (at the time of installation) and number one in terms of solar watts installed per utility customer.

Population growth and increasing energy demand were key factors in the city of Bartow’s decision to take action to help better the city’s energy future. With a growing population of over 17,000 and power costs of $20 million, city officials looked to NovaSol Energy to develop solar energy solutions to offset a portion of the city’s bulk power requirements. Since the generation facility is located within city limits, it will save the city on transmission charges for the power generated onsite, a more cost-effective solution than being transported to the city from a bulk power provider. The city executed a fixed-rate agreement with NovaSol Energy, protecting the city from future price increases.

March 15, 2018

Bartow’s Electric Department adds solar power

Article Image

The city will unveil its new, 40-acre solar farm, which will generate enough power to offset 5 percent of the city’s power needs, said City Manager George Long. Until now, the city has bought that power from Orlando Utilities Commission, which primarily uses natural gas and coal to fuel its power plants. Now, the sun will fuel some of Bartow’s electricity.

The city will continue to buy the bulk of its power from OUC for the next three years but the first 7 megawatts of available power will come from the solar farm. And the true value of the project, Long said, will be measured over time through savings on fuel costs.

The projected savings to the city, he said, totals about $5 million over the next 30 years, which means lower power costs for the city’s estimated 12,000 power customers.

March 15, 2018

NovaSol Energy completes one of Florida’s largest municipal solar facilities

Article Image

NovaSol Energy unveiled a new solar farm in the City of Bartow, Fla., consisting of more than 28,000 high-efficiency 72 cell solar panels and string inverters, the solar farm is expected to generate approximately 5 to 6 percent of the city’s annual energy requirements, ranking the city in the top 10 largest municipal solar facilities in the state of Florida (at the time of installation) and number one in terms of solar watts installed per utility customer.

“We are very excited about the potential long-term savings that will be produced by the solar farm, and the fact that the electricity will be generated locally,” said James F. Clements, Mayor of the City of Bartow. “The installation of this facility’s solar panels will help the city generate energy to supply the needs of approximately one thousand average homes annually, furthering our goal to conserve natural resources and move toward a more sustainable future.”

March 15, 2018

Bartow says new solar farm will cut electricity bills

Article Image

Bartow showed off its new 40-acre solar farm Thursday, saying it will soon provide clean, renewable energy to residents.

City leaders say it helps them diversify their energy needs and bring down costs in the process.

“The beauty of this is we are in the sunshine state we have plenty of sunshine,” said Bartow City Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer.

March 15, 2018

$11.5 million solar farm opens in Bartow

Article Image

Bartow celebrated the opening of a privately funded, $11.5 million solar farm Thursday.

It sits on 40 acres of land and is expected to generate enough electricity to meet the needs of 1,000 homes a year. City Manager George Long said that's about 5 percent of Bartow's customers.

"It's clean, it's green, it saves the city money and it will save the customers money as well," said George Long.

Learn how to make solar work for you!

learn more