The St. Petersburg City Council approved a lease with Duke Energy for solar panels at the new Pier.

ST. PETERSBURG – The City Council on Thursday (May 17) authorized Mayor Rick Kriseman to sign a lease with Duke Energy Florida for a solar photovoltaic car canopy on a portion of the Pelican Parking lot.

Duke will pay for and own the system and be responsible for the design, permitting, construction and maintenance for the life of the system. It is expected to cost no more than $2 million.

These solar panels will maximize energy production to produce between 400 kW 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 over 100 cars off the road each year or freeing up over 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 towards 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 electronic vehicle charging station.

Sharon Wright, the city’s sustainability and resiliency director, said, “The city appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Duke Energy in providing renewable energy within the city limits. 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 information about the St. Pete Pier, go to newstpetepier.com.

St. Pete Pier | Solar Power | Solar Energy | Environment | Tampabay News

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