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FPL to break ground on solar-energy facility

10/12/2009 22:00:00 Pangea

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Miami-based electric utility Florida Power & Light Co. will break ground Tuesday in Martin County on what it says is the world's first hybrid solar plant and the first utility-scale solar facility in Florida

FPL said the project being built near Indiantown features an innovative hybrid design that will use solar thermal technology to offset the use of natural gas at FPL's existing combined cycle plant in Martin County. The ceremony includes the unveiling of a 26-foot-long scale model representative of the more than 180,000 mirrors that will constitute the Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center solar array when it is complete.

TALLAHASSEE

Tallahassee welcomes visitors with winter discounts: Tallahassee hotels, restaurants and attractions will be adding to the area's holiday festivities with their own bit of cheer this season. In conjunction with the many holiday activities taking place around Leon County, the Tallahassee Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is rolling out the Winter "Hot Deals" Promotion, which features special hotel rates and discounts at area attractions and restaurants. Winter "Hot Deals" will be available now through Jan. 31. For information about holiday events and the various discounts offered, visit www.VisitTallahassee.com.

Tropical Smoothie testing new flavors: Now through the end of the year, Tallahassee residents have an exclusive opportunity to be among the first to savor Tropical Smoothie Cafe's newest healthy menu line: coffee and green tea smoothies. The company said it plans to roll out the new flavors nationally at all 275 franchise locations in 2009. Tallahassee was selected as one of the test markets for the smoothies because of its diverse customer demographic, according to Barbara Valentino, vice president of marketing and communications. There are 11 Tallahassee Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations.

TCC scholarships on the rise for science, technology: The number of students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — the STEM professions — is on the rise. Through a National Science Foundation grant, Tallahassee Community College is offering an increasing number of scholarship, TCC reports. Recipients must plan to earn an associate of arts degree with plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in a STEM area, or an associate of science degree in a STEM area, then enter the workforce. The grant enables TCC to offer 40 scholarships per year. For information, contact Wilbert Butler Jr. at 201-8114 or butlerw@tcc.fl.edu.