New solar power facility launched at Walt Disney World

The solar panels have been designed in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears.

Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States, has launched a new solar power facility at the Walt Disney World Resort in an effort to expand renewable energy in central Florida. What makes this particular solar facility so unique is that it has been designed in the shape of Disney’s iconic Mickey Mouse ears, which is fitting since the facility will be helping to provide power to the world-famous resort.

The 5 MW solar facility is located near Epcot.

To develop the five megawatt (5 MW) solar plant, which is located on 22 acres near the Epcot theme park, Duke Energy joined with Walt Disney World Resort and Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). The facility is about equal to 1,000 residential solar rooftops systems.

Duke Energy operates the plant, which is composed of 48,000 solar panels. It will sell the renewable electricity the plant generates to RCID to help meet the incredible power needs of Disney’s resort and its other customers, including the Four Seasons Resort and the hoteliers along Hotel Plaza Boulevard, reported Florida Trend.

The facility was opened earlier this week by representatives from Duke Energy, RCID and Disney.

The new solar power plant at Walt Disney World is one of many solar projects Duke Energy has in development.

Duke Energy’s state president in Florida, Alex Glenn, said of the Disney solar project that Duke Energy is “committed to providing our customers with greater access to renewable energy, and the Walt Disney World Solar Facility is one example of how we’re doing that.”

The Walt Disney World Resort’s environmental integration director, Angie Renner, also commented on the facility and partnership saying that “As a company that cares about the environment, we continually take steps of varying sizes to benefit the environment and protect the planet.” Renner added that the new solar energy plant will help Disney in its conservation efforts in regard to natural resources.

The solar facility at Walt Disney World Resort isn’t the only solar plans that Duke Energy has for Florida. By 2024, the giant energy company plans to add as many as 500 MW of additional solar power to the state.