HDR Served as Owner's Engineer on the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center
(OMAHA, Neb. - Oct. 30, 2009) - The DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Fla., has received national attention with the visit of President Barack Obama on October 27 to mark the opening of the solar power plant. HDR is providing owner's engineer services to SunPower, which designed the plant. Florida Power & Light owns the property in DeSoto County, Fla.
At the plant opening, President Obama announced $3.4 billion in federal grants for "smart grid" projects aimed at boosting the efficiency of the nation's electricity network and enabling consumers to conserve energy and cut their utility bills. At 25 megawatts, the $152 million DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center will be the largest solar photovoltaic plant in the country. The plant consists of more than 90,500 solar panels covering 180 acres. The plant was completed in less than a year.
HDR is an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm with more than 8,000 professionals in more than 185 locations worldwide. All of them are committed to helping clients manage complex projects and make sound decisions. HDR is No. 13 overall in the Engineering News-Record Top 500 Design Firms rankings for 2009 and No. 10 in power transmission and distribution.