Company brings solar power to Mote

Lakewood Ranch-based Willis A. Smith Construction Sept. 4 has helped Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium improve its energy efficiency.

Willis A. Smith donated one system of 126 photovoltaic panels, valued at about $115,000. The product was installed by RegionSolar, which obtained a rebate for nearly half the cost.

The 2,310-square-foot, 30.2-kilowatt solar-power system, which is being mounted on the southern roof of Mote’s Ann and Alfred Goldstein Marine Mammal Research and Rehabilitation Center, will start capturing solar energy this month to supplement electrical power at Mote’s nationally recognized hospitals for dolphins, small whales and sea turtles.

Local donor and solar-energy supporter Jim Lampl donated a second 30.2-kilowatt system to supplement power at Mote Aquaculture Park (MAP) — the lab’s environmentally responsible fish farm and research facility in eastern Sarasota County.

Mote is launching its new Sustainable Energy Initiative this month.