World’s Largest Solar-Powered Battery Being Built In Parrish

PARRISH, FL — Crews recently installed the first battery modules for Florida Power and Light Company’s Manatee Energy Storage Center in Parrish.

This center will be the world’s largest solar-powered battery storage facility when completed, FPL said in a news release.

The project is 75 percent finished with 100 of the 132 total containers installed and 132 of the inverters set.

The FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center will have a 409-megawatt capacity with the ability to deliver 900 megawatt hours of energy — enough to power 329,000 homes for more than two hours.

Charged by the existing Manatee Solar Energy Center, the battery will increase the predictability of solar power, extending its benefits even when the sun’s not shining at night or on a cloudy day.

By deploying energy from the batteries when there is higher demand for electricity, FPL will offset the need to run other power plants. This further reduces emissions and saving customers money through avoided fuel costs, FPL said.

“With one milestone after another, FPL is following through on its steadfast commitment to make Florida a leader in sustainability and resiliency as we consistently deliver America’s best energy value — electricity that’s not just clean and reliable, but also affordable,” FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy said.

In June, FPL dismantled its last coal plant in Florida and surpassed the 40 percent mark of its “30-by-30” plan to install 30 million solar panels by 2030, he added.

“Soon, the world’s largest solar-powered battery will begin serving customers, and we’ll turn our attention to an innovative green hydrogen pilot project — which could unlock the potential for a 100 (percent) carbon-free energy future,” Silagy said.

Each battery module at the Manatee Energy Storage Center weighs more than 200 pounds and is capable of storing an amount of solar energy equivalent to roughly 2,000 iPhone batteries, FPL said. Combined, the battery system will be equivalent to about 100 million iPhone batteries.

In addition to installing the project’s first battery modules and 100 energy storage containers, FPL

The battery system will consist of 132 energy storage containers organized across a 40-acre plot of land, which is the equivalent of 30 football fields. Each container will hold about 400 battery modules, which will be charged by the neighboring FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center.

FPL expects the battery to begin serving customers later this year.