Sun to Go
West Central Florida is a beautiful place, and we’re committed to helping keep it that way by expanding the use of solar energy. From rooftop solar at area attractions to arrays at a magnet high school, we’re using our state’s abundant sunshine to generate energy and inspire learning - and you can help support it!
Our Sun to Go program makes showing your commitment to solar energy easy. You can participate in two ways: power your events with solar energy and/or subscribe to “solar blocks” each month.
To speak with a Sun to Go representative, call 813-275-3909.
Power your events with the Florida sun
You can power your next event with electricity generated at Tampa Electric’s local solar plants. Our Sun to Go program is an easy, affordable way to show your commitment to the environment.
Here’s how it works: We provide the amount of solar-generated electricity your event requires in 200 kilowatt-hour “blocks” for just $5 per block. To help make your guests aware of your sustainability efforts, we’ll provide a “Sun to Go Event” logo for use on your promotional materials. It’s that easy!
Your Sun to Go event has the power to change the world:
- 50 solar blocks ($250) is the equivalent of offsetting 16,750 pounds of CO2 or planting 2 acres of trees
- 500 solar blocks ($2,500) is the equivalent of offsetting 167,500 pounds of CO2 or planting 20 acres of trees
Typical event sizes and costs:
5,000-square-foot meeting room for 8 hours 3 blocks $15
50,000-square-foot meeting room for 8 hours 30 blocks $150
Typical sporting event in a major stadium (varies) 200 blocks $1,000
Recent Sun to Go event participants include: The Tampa Bay Lightning, EcoFest, Florida State Fairgrounds, NCAA Women’s Final Four at Amalie Arena, Straz Performing Arts Center and many more!
To speak with a Sun to Go representative who can assist you with evaluating any facility or event, call 813-275-3909.
To show your commitment to the environment year-round, we offer monthly subscriptions of Sun to Go for as little as $5 per month added to your electric bill. Your subscription supports the use of solar throughout our communities. Visit the My Impact tab above to see the solar sites that Sun to Go subscriptions support.
How does it work?
You determine how much solar you’d like to support by choosing to purchase one or more solar blocks each month. For each block you purchase, Tampa Electric will deliver 200 kWh of electricity generated from solar to the grid that supports all Tampa Electric customers. In addition, funds go toward the operation and maintenance of solar energy projects in local public areas, such as LEGOLAND Florida, Zoo Tampa and The Florida Aquarium, and to build additional solar installations across West Central Florida.
How your participation matters:
- One solar block offsets the same amount of carbon dioxide as not driving an average passenger car for three months.
- Three solar blocks offset the same amount of carbon dioxide as planting an acre and a half of trees.
- Four solar blocks offset the same amount of carbon dioxide as removing an average passenger car from the road for one year.
Customers who support Sun to Go by purchasing one-time solar blocks for an event or monthly blocks that supplement their energy consumption, make it possible for Tampa Electric to build and maintain seven community-sited solar arrays. Looks for these installations that are generating renewable energy right here in the Tampa Bay area and learn more about how solar energy is produced and used throughout West Central Florida.
Florida Conservation and Technology Center
Apollo Beach
The Florida Conservation and Technology Center in Apollo Beach, Florida is home to a 60,000 watt AC solar array. This location was chosen for one of our many arrays due to its proximity to Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center (MVC) and the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center that offers year-round opportunities for public education. The system provides a canopy over visitors waiting to take a shuttle to and from the MVC.
LEGOLAND® Florida
Winter Haven
Earth Day 2014 marked the day representatives from LEGOLAND Florida and Tampa Electric flipped the switch on a Tampa Electric-owned 27,000 watt AC solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed atop LEGOLAND'S Imagination Zone. A PV system this size is capable of generating enough electricity from the sun to power three average-sized homes and offset about 40 tons of carbon dioxide per year – equivalent to planting more than nine acres of trees. See the large scale solar site.
Manatee Viewing Center
Apollo Beach
Our Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, Florida is home to a 37,230 watt AC solar array in the facility's main parking lot. The system provides a canopy over cars while visitors enjoy the many attractions of the Center -- from manatees, to a tidal walk to an interactive educational building.
Middleton High School
Tampa
A magnet school for math, science, engineering and technology, Middleton High School hosts a 8,925 watt AC solar panel system as part of the school's curriculum. In case of a natural disaster or other emergency, the system also provides supplemental power for the Red Cross shelter located in this school. This 60-solar panel system has battery backup for overnight uses and is the largest contained within any Florida school.
Museum of Science and Industry
Tampa
At Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), you can explore Tampa Electric's first solar panel system. The system is directly connected to the same electrical infrastructure that sends electricity to your home or business. In 2020, MOSI added two solar "Curve" charging stations that also send power to the community.
The Florida Aquarium
Downtown Tampa
In Tampa's Channelside District, the Florida Aquarium's 6,000-square-foot rooftop terrace venue space features unobtrusive solar panels that can produce 134,000 watts of electricity. In addition, the aquarium's Explore-A-Shore pavilion hosts a 8,602 watt AC solar array and features an interactive display to teach children about the benefits of solar energy.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Tampa
Tampa Electric joined with ZooTampa at Lowry Park and the University of South Florida's Power Center for Utility Explorations on a 12,793 watt AC solar panel system at the zoo. The solar panels are installed atop an elephant shade structure and an adjacent maintenance building. The project includes a Renewable Energy Learning Center that provides research opportunities for USF and Tampa Electric to study the technical, economic and environmental benefits of a renewable, grid-connected photovoltaic system for Smart Grid electric power production.
