Orlando Green Cities Conference Powered By the Sun

ORLANDO, Florida, May 24, 2009 (ENS) - Usually dry and sunny, Orlando has seen rain and thunderstorms for the past six days, but the much-needed moisture has not dampened the enthusiasm of city and county officials for their giant new solar array atop the Orange County Convention Center.

Capable of generating one million watts of electricity, the largest solar photovoltaic system of its kind in the southeastern United States was inaugurated on Wednesday at the opening session of the Green Cities Florida 2009 conference.

"I want this project to show the world that Orange County embraces green technology," said Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty just before he flipped the switch that lit the building with solar power for the first time. "We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint while recruiting clean tech companies that will help the world go green."

Solar panels on the roof of the Orange County Convention Center (Photo courtesy Green Cities)

Florida State Senator Lee Constantine said the solar installation is part of the state's green "revolution."

The state awarded a $2.5 million grant to install the one-megawatt rooftop solar system.

In addition, the Orlando Utilities Commission contributed $1.5 million to the project and will receive 10 years worth of Renewable Energy Credits in that amount.

"OUC is committed to investing in renewable energy," said OUC Board President Katie Porta, "and it is collaborations like the one we see here today that will benefit not only our customers but also our Central Florida community for generations to come."

The solar system, which utilizes high-efficiency, flat-plate collectors, covers about 200,000-square feet of the Convention Center building. It will generate 1,300 to 1,500 megawatt hours of electricity per year, the equivalent to the power used by 80 to 100 typical homes, without emitting any greenhouse gases.

The benefits of generating electricity with solar energy include reducing energy costs, limiting global warming and curbing dependence on foreign fuels, officials said at the ceremony.

The second largest convention facility in the country, the Orange County Convention Center brings more than 250 events to the Central Florida area each year.

"The center is delighted to be awarded this grant to help expand our green initiatives," said the Orange County Convention Center’s Jerry Daigle. "Over the past three years, our operations personnel have successfully implemented several energy conservation measures. This solar PV project will take us to the next level in energy management, and it is a major step in making our facilities green."

The convention center began to lead the industry in early 2007 when it became the first convention center in the United States to become ISO 14001 certified for its recycling program.

The convention center purchases recycled products, uses reclaimed water for landscaping irrigation, and uses Green-Seal certified cleaning products. In addition to its facility-related green initiatives, the center works with event organizers to support their efforts for green events, shows and meetings.

The center's $8.8 million renewable energy project also features a Climate Change Education Center inside the convention center with an electric car, LED lighting, solar panels and other renewable technologies on display.

Before flipping the solar power switch, Crotty and Porta celebrated the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the Climate-Change Education Center, which is sponsored by Orange County and the Orlando Utilities Commission.

The inauguration of the solar array and dedication of the Climate-Change Education Center were part of the Green Cities Florida conference staged by Seven Star Events.

It was the first in Seven Star's Green Cities series of events that will feature a conference in New York City in October.

The sustainability conference for business, government and community representatives featured sessions on the economic crisis and what it will take to create a green recovery for Florida.

Sustainability consultants offered advice on surviving the economic downturn with green business practices. Seven Star President Georgia Malki offered a session on staging green meetings and events. State and local government officials discussed water conservation, land use planning and gathering community support for green initiatives.

But the economic downturn is taking its toll on the Florida Green Lodging Program, established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as a voluntary, non-regulatory effort to recognize and reward environmentally conscientious lodging facilities in the state.

The program's budget has been cut, and the program's director, Peter Goren, told conference attendees that he will soon be out of a job.

As of May 1, 2009, there are 470 designated properties participating in the popular Green Lodging Program. Sixteen new properties recently joined and four existing members received Two Palm designations, demonstrating their commitment to protecting the state’s natural resources.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2009. All rights reserved.