Florida solar plants OK'd by state panel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 15 (UPI) -- The Florida Public Service Commission gave its approval Tuesday to a plan to build the first commercial solar power plants in the state.

Florida Power & Light plans three plants in the central part of the state. The three members of the commission approved them unanimously and enthusiastically, The Miami Herald reported.

The largest, a 75-megawatt plant in Martin County on the east coast, would be connected to a natural gas plant. The company says a 25-megawatt plant in DeSoto County would be the world's largest photovoltaic facility, while another 10-megawatt photovoltaic facility would be located at the Kennedy Space Center.

Commissioner Nathan Skop called the Martin County plant "a very innovative approach." Commissioner Nancy Argenziano said she was "just thrilled" by the proposals.

The company said it had promised to build 300 megawatts of solar power, and the plants approved Tuesday put it more than one-third of the way there.