City OKs Lease With Duke Energy For Solar Panels At St. Pete Pier

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- The St. Petersburg City Council has authorized Mayor Rick Kriseman to draw up a lease with Duke Energy Florida for a solar photovoltaic (PV) car canopy on a portion of the Pelican parking lot of the St. Pete Pier.

With an estimated cost of no more than $2 million, Duke will pay for and own the system and be responsible for the design, permitting, construction and maintenance for the life of the system.

These solar panels will maximize energy production to produce between 400kW and 650 kW of solar energy at the Pier. By way of example, a 400 kW solar installation would generate enough energy to power a minimum of 40 homes per year. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 400 metric tons per year - that's like taking more than 100 cars off the road each year or freeing up more than 400 acres of forest to absorb other harmful emissions.

Benefits to the community include:

* Shaded parking for approximately 100 spaces in the Pelican lot

* Education - tied to the Education Center programming

* Important collaboration and step toward transitioning to 100 percent clean energy

* Lease income to offset operation costs

* Supports theme of a sustainable Pier District.

Other considerations include the potential for battery backup and connections for an electronic vehicle charging station.

"The city appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Duke Energy in providing renewable energy within the city limits," said Sharon Wright, city sustainability and resiliency director. "This process has taught us a lot, and we look forward to building on the wins with our energy provider to lead the region in its transition to 100 percent clean energy"

For more information, visit the St. Pete Pier website.

Image via City of St. Petersburg