Overview
Butler Plaza is a 1.2 MW solar PV facility in Gainesville, Florida, owned by CF Gainesville Owner One LLC. It contributes to the region's renewable energy capacity under the US IRA and Florida's Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Butler Plaza is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in Gainesville, Florida, United States. With a capacity of 1.2 MW, it represents a small-scale solar installation typical of distributed generation in the state. The facility is owned by CF Gainesville Owner One LLC and is currently operational, supporting local renewable energy goals. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which provides tax incentives for solar energy, and Florida's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which encourages renewable energy adoption. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and at this scale, Butler Plaza likely serves a local community or commercial load, contributing to grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Environmental benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants compared to conventional power sources. The facility's location in Florida, a state with high solar insolation, maximizes energy generation. While solar PV has minimal operational emissions, land use and visual impacts are considerations, though small-scale installations like this typically integrate into existing urban or suburban settings.
Environmental context
Solar PV facilities like Butler Plaza have a low environmental footprint during operation, producing no direct emissions. However, land use for solar arrays can affect local ecosystems and visual landscapes. In Florida, high solar irradiance makes solar energy particularly efficient, but grid integration challenges may arise due to variable generation. The facility's small scale minimizes land impact and aligns with distributed generation benefits.
Frequently asked questions
Butler Plaza is located in Gainesville, Florida, United States, at coordinates 29.623100, -82.380000.
Butler Plaza has a capacity of 1.2 MW, making it a small-scale solar photovoltaic facility.
Butler Plaza is owned by CF Gainesville Owner One LLC.
Solar PV in the US benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which provides tax credits, and state-level Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) that mandate renewable energy adoption.
Butler Plaza generates clean electricity from solar energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting Florida's renewable energy targets under its RPS.