[Walt Disney World News, 18 April 2019]

In honor of Earth Day, Walt Disney World Resort has unveiled a new 270-acre, 50 MW solar facility, that has been built in collaboration with the Reedy Creek Improvement District and the solar developer Origis Energy USA. This site generates enough energy to operate 2 of the 4 theme parks at Disney annually. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions “by tens of thousands of tons per year” and is a step towards Disney’s goal of reducing emissions 50% compared to 2012 levels. The solar facility has also been built to make over 2/3 of the site more friendly to pollinators and other insects, some of which are endangered or are at-risk species. Angie Renner, Environmental Integration Director at Disney Park’s Experiences and Consumer Products section, stated, ““At Disney, every day is Earth Day, and we hope our guests and cast members will be as inspired and amazed as we are at what this new solar facility means for our community and planet. This is an ambitious step forward for our renewable energy efforts.” Some specs for the project include:

· 500,000 + solar panels

· During peak sun, the site will provide up to 25% of Walt Disney World’s demand

· Largest solar facility in Orange County

· 50,000 + tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduce (equivalent of removal of 10,000 cards per year)