Morningside Recreation Center Solar Celebration

Clearwater residents are invited to celebrate the city’s latest leap toward clean energy at a Solar Celebration on Tuesday, June 10, at 9 a.m. at Morningside Recreation Center, 2400 Harn Blvd.

The free event marks the completion of a new rooftop solar system, representing one of four major solar projects rolling out across the city this year. Attendees will hear remarks from Mayor Bruce Rector, City Manager Jennifer Poirrier, and representatives from the Environmental Advisory Board and Certus, the contractor behind the installation.

The new solar array includes 326 panels and is expected to save more than $26,000 per year in electricity costs. The energy generated will directly power the building, with extra energy sent back to the grid for credits through Duke Energy’s net metering program.

The Morningside system is part of a $2 million investment funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), aimed at cutting costs and reducing emissions. Combined, the four solar sites are projected to save the city nearly $7 million over the life of the systems.

Over time, the Morningside panels alone will prevent over 4,450 tons of carbon emissions—the same as taking 900 cars off the road for a year or planting nearly 67,000 trees.

For more information on Clearwater’s renewable energy initiatives, visit MyClearwater.com/Sustainability.