Selby Gardens flips switch on solar panel array

It's been a project far more complex than the flip of a switch — but flipping a switch was still a major step involved. 

After unveiling Phase One of its master plan in January, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens celebrated the activation of 57,000 square feet of solar arrays designed to power the facilities. 

Bringing together various parties involved in the project including staff, board members, supporters and contractors, in addition to campers from Selby Gardens’ Camp Lookout, the event, held June 27, honored the occasion with the ceremonial flipping of a switch. 

“It’s really exhilarating to be at this moment,” said Jennifer Rominiecki, president and CEO of Selby Gardens. “It took a lot of effort to plan for this, but as of today, Selby Gardens will be home to the first net-positive energy botanical garden complex in the world, including the first net-positive energy restaurant.”

Photo by Ian Swaby

The complex is considered net positive because it generates more energy than it consumes, with an excess amount of 10%. 

Serving as its primary power source is a 50,000 square-foot solar array atop the Morganroth Family Living Energy Access Facility, which also contains a parking garage, the restaurant The Green Orchid by Michael's on East, which draws much of its produce from a rooftop garden located in the facility, and The Garden Shop. 

Meanwhile, the adjacent Steinwachs Family Plant Research Center provides an additional 7,000 square feet of solar infrastructure though its Elizabeth Moore Rooftop Garden and Solar Array.

Generating 1.27 million kilowatts annually, the solar panels will offset the release of 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to the amount sequestered in over 1,000 acres of forest in the United States, according to John Byrd, associate principal and director of design performance for the architecture and design firm Overland Partners.

Photo by Ian Swaby

Byrd spoke about the challenges involved in realizing the project. 

“With the many years and challenges the project faced — COVID, supply chain issues, inflation, just to name a few — I couldn't be more thrilled to be standing with you here today, to see this vision realized,” he said. 

Patrick Attwater, CEO of One80 Solar, described the project as taking “five years and pretty much everything I've ever learned in my career in the solar industry of 15 years or so.”

So far, everything is running smoothly, with no noticeable differences following the switch to solar power, according to Michael Klauber, owner of The Green Orchid restaurant and Michael's on East. 

Photo by Ian Swaby

Visitors can see the generation of the energy in real time, through monitors on the first floor of Selby Gardens' welcome center.

There is still more to come with Phase One.

With the solar power now switched on, Selby Gardens is eligible to prove over the next 12 months that the complex warrants the Living Building and Living Community Petal Certification by the International Living Future Institute.

A media release said the Master Plan has also been guided by the international landscape architecture studio OLIN, civil engineer Kimley-Horn, and construction manager Willis Smith, and powered by the Barancik Foundation.

This article has been updated to mention the Elizabeth Moore Rooftop Garden and Solar Array and to correct the square footage of the solar arrays.