The City of Coral Gables is encouraging our residents/businesses to use alternative forms of energy. Below are solar projects/initiatives the City of Coral Gables has implemented
Coral Gables Adds 11 Solar Benches to Its Parks
Coral Gables has recently added 11 Solar Powered Charging Benches to its City Parks. Residents and visitors to the parks listed below can now charge your electronic devices (phones, tablets, etc.) year round but especially in times following a natural disaster (hurricanes, etc.) where power can be potentially lost from the grid by harnessing the power of the sun. Select parks also have WIFI avaliability. The City of Coral Gables is the first city in South Florida to embrace sustainable solar power charging benches, keeping our residents and visitors connected.
Please note: You must bring your own charging cord to connect to the benches.
Locations of Solar Benches
Park Name: | Address | WIFI |
Ponce Circle Park | 1201 Ponce de Leon | No |
Coral Bay Park | 1590 Campamento Ave | No |
Phillips Park | 90 Menores Ave | Coming in 2019 |
William H. Kerdyk & Family Park | 6611 Yumuri St. | Yes |
Salvador Park | 1120 Andalusia Ave | Yes |
Jaycee Park | 1230 Hardee Road | No |
Rotary Park | 592 Ponce De Leon Blvd | No |
War Memorial Youth Center | 405 University Drive | Yes |
Pittman Park | 115 Merrick Way | Yes |
Interested in Solar? Below are 8 steps to installing solar panels on your home or business.
Step into Solar Flyer (PDF)
To locate a list of solar contractors in Florida please visit the Florida Solar Energy Center and/or the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association websites.
The City of Coral Gables has made environmental sustainability and adaptation and mitigation efforts to address climate change and sea level rise a top priority. This is evident in the City creating a 10-year sustainability master plan which outlines the City goals and objectives to decrease energy, water, fossil fuel use along with greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2025. Within the sustainability plan, there are renewable energy projects that include installing solar on a number of our existing facilities (installing solar thermal systems at our 3 fire stations and a 140 kWh solar system on our Youth Center). The City has also incorporated renewable energy and sustainability into its 3-year strategic plan which sets and tracks intermediate goals aimed at increasing operational efficiency while reducing environmental impacts.
Below are a few additional projects that the City has implemented that focus specifically on renewable energy:
As is evident above, the City of Coral Gables is committed to transitioning our operations to renewable energy. In conjunction, the City is encouraging the community to transition as well.
***Upgrade your Home or Business’s Energy Efficiency with PACE Financing***
Did you know that as a resident or commercial business in the City of Coral Gables you may qualify for financing to make improvements to your buildings that can lower utility bills, reduce annual repair and maintenance costs, decrease insurance premiums and increase the property’s market value? The City of Coral Gables is a member of the Clean Energy Green Corridor Program, an initiative currently available for commercial and residential property owners to implement energy efficiency upgrades through Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing.
PACE financing allows residential or commercial property owners to finance renewable energy and efficiency upgrades over the long term through a voluntary property tax assessment. Eligible improvements may include solar panels, hurricane windows and shutters, roof strengthening measures, air conditioning and heating systems, water heaters, weatherproofing, insulation, pool pumps and much more. These improvements, in turn, can lower utility bills, increase the home’s value, lower hurricane insurance costs, and improve the quality of the residence.
Visit www.coralgables.com/PACE for more information.