Latest news with #OUC
Business Journals
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
A look at OUC's expansive solar initiative for business and residential customers in Central Florida
As Central Florida's commercial development accelerates, so too does demand for resilient, sustainable power. To meet that challenge and position the region for a low-carbon future, the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC— The Reliable One) has officially commenced operation of the largest solar project in its 100-year history: the Harmony II Solar Energy Center and the Storey Bend Solar Energy Center. Spanning over 1,200 acres in Osceola County and equipped with nearly 400,000 high-efficiency solar panels, the dual-site project more than double the utility's solar generation to 271.5 megawatts, which is enough to power roughly 50,000 typical OUC-customer homes. 'As we officially launch these two solar energy centers, we're more than doubling OUC's solar energy capacity and helping our customers reach their clean energy goals while fulfilling our vision to be an innovative solutions provider and partner of choice in Central Florida,' said Clint Bullock, OUC General Manager & CEO Designed with bifacial panels that rotate to follow the sun, the sites are optimized to maximize output throughout the day. Strategic partnerships anchor the launch of SunChoice Two prominent Central Florida institutions, AdventHealth and Comcast NBCUniversal, are early subscribers to OUC's SunChoice community solar program and are serving as anchor tenants for the new sites. AdventHealth has committed to offsetting 50% of its energy usage in OUC's service territory through a subscription to the Harmony II facility, supporting sustainability goals without the need for onsite infrastructure. Meanwhile, Comcast NBCUniversal, parent company of Universal Destinations & Experiences, has subscribed to solar output from Storey Bend, purchasing and matching 30% of the electricity used by the Universal Orlando Resort accounts included in the contract. 'We're pleased to support the local clean economy here in Florida while growing our business through Universal Destinations & Experiences,' said Tom Ciarlone, VP of Real Estate & Energy at Comcast NBCUniversal. 'Shifting to clean energy to help power our world-class theme parks is just another way we seek to provide our guests with more innovative and sustainable entertainment experiences.' SunChoice: Solar at scale The OUC SunChoice program offers customers the opportunity to help accelerate deployment of solar generation in Central Florida. As many businesses are deciding that they'd like the majority of their consumed energy to come from renewable sources, but may not have the capital costs to outlay, OUC SunChoice allows these customers to subscribe and offset up to 100% of their consumption, helping them make a demonstrated difference. The benefits of SunChoice stem from the program's simplicity. With variants for both commercial and residential customers, SunChoice allows participants to offset a portion, or all, of their renewable energy consumption with solar energy. Although commercial subscribers don't receive renewable energy directly generated by these solar energy centers, they do receive Green-e® Energy certified Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that's verified and retired in their name. These RECs serve as documentation of the customer's action to offset their consumption with a specific amount of renewable energy generated on their region's grid. Most attractive to businesses, SunChoice eliminates the need for capital investment and logistical hurdles that often accompany solar adoption, making renewable energy an easy choice. For commercial customers, it presents an opportunity to enhance environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and achieve sustainability goals without the complications of installing and maintaining physical infrastructure. 'At OUC, we believe renewable energy isn't just the path to clean energy; it's part of the future of doing business in Central Florida,' said Bullock. Enhancing solar growth With the launch of the two new solar energy centers, OUC is reinforcing its reputation as one of the Southeast's most ambitious utilities when it comes to solar deployment. In 2024, the utility was named the No. 1 'SunRiser' by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy — a recognition awarded to utilities demonstrating the highest growth in solar watts per customer. This marked the sixth consecutive year that SACE has named OUC as a 'SunRiser' among utilities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. For developers, institutions and growing enterprises, programs like SunChoice offer a direct pathway to align energy strategy with sustainability goals — at scale and without added complexity.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
South Street traffic squeeze officially underway in Downtown Orlando
After a one week delay, a new phase of construction is finally underway in the Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project near Downtown Orlando. Crews lined sections of South Street and Summerlin Avenue with new construction barrels Monday morning. A stretch of busy South Street was reduced from three lanes to one. Here's how the changes are expected to affect drivers over the next five months: South Street impact: Only one westbound lane of South Street will be open to traffic from South Mills Avenue to just west of Summerlin Avenue. Traffic on South Street will then resume three lanes. Summerlin Avenue impact: Traffic traveling north and south on Summerlin Avenue will be rerouted around the closure between East Anderson Street and Pine Street. The City of Orlando and Orlando Utilities Commission said the temporary changes are necessary because of the long-term project that aims to upgrade OUC's drinking water and Orlando's sanitary sewer and stormwater systems. For more information about this phase of the Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project, click HERE. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
South Street snarl: When will traffic delays begin near Downtown Orlando?
There's been a one week delay in some construction work that will significantly impact drivers near Downtown Orlando. Channel 9 has learned that lane closures along a section of South Street will now start on Monday, May 5. The stretch of busy road will go from three lanes down to a single lane. Here's how it will affect drivers: South Street impact: Only one westbound lane of South Street will be open to traffic from South Mills Avenue to just west of Summerlin Avenue. Traffic on South Street will then resume three lanes. Summerlin Avenue impact: Traffic traveling north and south on Summerlin Avenue will be rerouted around the closure between East Anderson Street and Pine Street. The City of Orlando and Orlando Utilities Commission said the temporary changes are necessary because of the ongoing Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project. The long-term project aims to upgrade OUC's drinking water and Orlando's sanitary sewer and stormwater systems. The South Street lane reductions are expected to be in place for about five months. For more information about this phase of the Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project, click HERE. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Traffic Alert: Extended closure for a section of South Street begins Monday in Orlando
Traffic headaches near Downtown Orlando could begin to rise on Monday. That's because on April 28, City of Orlando and Orlando Utilities Commission will start the next phase of the Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project. This part of the project will put the squeeze on traffic along a well-traveled stretch of South Street. Officials said the temporary traffic changes are necessary in their ongoing efforts to upgrade OUC's drinking water and Orlando's sanitary sewer and stormwater systems. What does it mean for motorists? For the next five months, drivers should prepare for delays on South Street and might even consider an alternate route. South Street impact: Only one westbound lane of South Street will be open to traffic from South Mills Avenue to just west of Summerlin Avenue. Traffic on South Street will then resume three lanes. Summerlin Avenue impact: Traffic traveling north and south on Summerlin Avenue will be rerouted around the closure between East Anderson Street and Pine Street. Detour signage should help drivers navigate the temporary changes. As for the traffic headaches, an occasional aspirin might help over the next 150 days. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Orlando's Summerlin Avenue project to reduce South Street lanes for 5 months
Beginning April 28, Orlando and OUC—The Reliable One- will start the next phase of the Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project. This multiyear plan upgrades OUC's drinking water and Orlando's sanitary sewer and stormwater systems, enhancing service reliability, safety and residents' quality of life. Motorists should prepare for delays on South Street and are encouraged to consider alternative routes. In the upcoming phase, the westbound lanes of South Street will be narrowed to one lane for traffic, starting from South Mills Avenue and extending until the road expands back to three lanes just west of the Summerlin Avenue and South Street intersection. The intersection can be seen from a better view of the map adjustment is expected to remain in place for about five months. Traffic traveling north and south on Summerlin Avenue will be rerouted around the closure between East Anderson Street and Pine Street. This phase aligns with the completion of work at the Robinson Street and Summerlin Avenue intersection, which will reopen to traffic on April 18. Additionally, new work is anticipated to commence on Summerlin Avenue between Robinson Street and Ridgewood Street, lasting roughly 70 days. Summerlin Avenue Improvement Project Details: Project Timeline: The entire project is scheduled for completion in Spring/Summer 2028. Upcoming Project Work Areas: The intersection of Summerlin Avenue and South Street Summerlin Avenue between Robinson Street and Ridgewood Street Temporary Traffic Disruptions: Work will result in temporary traffic disruptions to facilitate work. A partial intersection closure is required at South Street and Summerlin Avenue for a five-month duration. Possible Night and Weekend Work: Work is scheduled to occur primarily Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. but some night and weekend work may be required. Visit here for more information, including project updates, maps, and the latest traffic or access changes. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
