PHOTO - Walt Disney World's solar facility goes live

Disney World's 22 acre solar facility went live yesterday, bringing 5 megawatts of power generation to the resort and its partners.

Located just outside of Epcot, the facility is shaped like Mickey Mouse, and is made up of 48,000 solar panels - the equivalent of around 1000 residential rooftop systems.

Operated by Duke Energy, which will sell the alternative energy to Reedy Creek Improvement District to help meet the power needs of Walt Disney World Resort and its other customers, such as Four Seasons Resort and the hoteliers along Hotel Plaza Boulevard.

Completed Walt Disney World Solar Facility near Epcot

“We’re committed to providing our customers with greater access to renewable energy, and the Walt Disney World Solar Facility is one example of how we’re doing that,” said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy state president – Florida. “We appreciate this unique opportunity to collaborate with Reedy Creek Improvement District and Walt Disney World Resort to expand the use of solar energy generation in Florida.”

“As a company that cares about the environment, we continually take steps of varying sizes to benefit the environment and protect the planet,” said Angie Renner, environmental integration director for Walt Disney World Resort. “This new solar facility will help us in our efforts to conserve natural resources.”