For Immediate Release
August 24, 2018
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(BPRW) THE SUN SPOT INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION TO OPEN AT THE PHILLIP AND PATRICIA FROST MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

New Permanent Exhibition Presented by Florida Power & Light Company Debuts Saturday, September 1

(Black PR Wire) MIAMI, Fla. – The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science) will debut The Sun Spot, presented by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), on Saturday, September 1. This new interactive permanent exhibition will open on the museum’s Florida Power & Light Company Solar Terrace, located on the sixth floor rooftop terrace overlooking Downtown Miami. The Sun Spot will invite guests to experience the power of the sun as a renewable source of energy through several interactive solar-powered activities.

The Sun is a dynamic, powerful source of energy—it’s the most abundant renewable resource on Earth. Modern technology can harness this energy for a variety of uses, including generating electricity. In The Sun Spot, guests will explore the dynamic nature of the Sun.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

  • Using a Sunspotter to safely view the Sun
  • Becoming a human-sized sundial to tell the time with your shadow
  • Activating an outdoor bike and hand cranks to power everyday objects (including a fan!)
  • Learning about the engineering behind solar panels
  • Exploring different types of renewable energy and batteries

"The Sun Spot provides a compelling approach to help everyone understand the potential of solar energy.  From pedal power to human-sized sundials, this exhibit features more fun ways to expand the solar energy footprint at Frost Science to spark curiosity in the minds of young and old alike," said Pam Rauch, vice president of external affairs and economic development at FPL. "More importantly, it helps everyone 'lean into' the learning curve of understanding solar." 

FPL's  solar research journey began in Miami about 30 years ago. Now with a major solar research facility at Florida International University, 14 solar power plants across the state − four more currently being built including one in Miami-Dade − as well as battery-storage research projects throughout the county, solar energy's profile in South Florida continues to rise.

FPL has been a long-time supporter of Frost Science. In 2015, the company and its philanthropic organization, the NextEra Energy Foundation, donated $1 million to the museum, along with an in-kind donation of 240 photovoltaic solar panels on the solar rooftop terrace. In addition, FPL installed two unique solar trees on the museum’s outdoor plaza in 2017, generating zero-emissions energy. These solar trees are part of the FPL SolarNow program, which supports the development of community-based solar projects.

The Sun Spot opens on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018 on the Florida Power & Light Company Solar Terrace, located on the museum’s sixth floor rooftop. The permanent exhibition is presented by Florida Power & Light Company. Admission to The Sun Spot is included in all museum admission tickets.  Additional information on the exhibition can be found at frostscience.org/sunspot.    

On Saturday, Sept. 8, there will be special onsite Sun Spot promotional activities and free refreshments for visitors on the rooftop while supplies last. Also, during the weekend of Sept. 8-9, visitors can also experience the FPL Cooling Station, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Frost Science Museum Plaza. Guests can "chill" out by walking into a larger-than-life ice cube, get refreshed with a blast of liquid nitrogen, and receive a fun video while learning about FPL's energy-saving tips and tools.

For more information about FPL solar energy efforts, visit: www.FPL.com/solar.

Follow Frost Science on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @frostscience.

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About the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science)

Located in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a leading science museum dedicated to sharing the power of science, sparking wonder and investigation, and fueling innovation for the future. Sitting on four acres, the 250,000-square-foot museum is divided into four buildings: the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and the North and West Wings. At Frost Science, visitors can explore the world of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in an experiential setting with interactive exhibitions and unique shows. Frost Science is supported by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County. This project is supported by the Building Better Communities Bond Program and the City of Miami. It is sponsored, in part, by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers. Learn more at frostscience.org. Follow Frost Science on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @frostscience.

 

About Florida Power & Light Company

Florida Power & Light Company is the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving nearly 5 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million+ people across nearly half of the state of Florida. FPL's typical 1,000-kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30 percent lower than the latest national average and among the lowest in the U.S. FPL's service reliability is better than 99.98 percent, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all utilities nationwide. The company was recognized in 2017 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Market Strategies International for the fourth consecutive year. A leading Florida employer with approximately 8,700 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune's 2018 list of "World's Most Admired Companies." NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.