As a young child, Geoff West used to visit his grandparents at the Barefoot Bay community in Brevard County. During spring break and summertime, Geoff and his sister could be found swimming, fishing and spending time outdoors. Today, he’s a senior project manager and part of the largest solar expansion in the U.S. But there’s one solar power plant that holds a special meaning — the FPL Barefoot Bay Solar Energy Center.
“That community means a lot to me. It’s where I first developed a love for Florida, a state that is now home for my family.”
The Barefoot Bay community has a rich history with many World War I and II veterans having once made it their home — including Geoff’s grandfather.
Geoff's grandfather, a World War II veteran, retired to Florida in the early 80s
Geoff and his sister on the water at Barefoot Bay
When the opportunity came up to build a solar energy center in Barefoot Bay, he wanted to be a part of it. Working closely with the community to develop the solar power plant and seeing it through construction brought great meaning and satisfaction to Geoff.
“I know my grandparents would be very pleased to know that I was bringing clean energy close to their community and then bringing future generations back to see where they lived and what it really means to me.”
The FPL Barefoot Bay Solar Energy Center, completed in 2018, is one of more than 40 FPL solar power plants generating emissions-free power using only the sun for fuel. And, through a partnership with Audubon Florida, native trees and bushes are being planted at some sites to serve as bird and pollinator-friendly havens.
And that’s important to Geoff, because he knows it will keep Florida as beautiful and pristine as when his grandparents knew it — and for generations to come.
A passion for Florida’s fauna and flora is a value both he and his wife, an environmental attorney, hope to pass on to their children. Camping, hiking and spending time outdoors is a central part of their life.
“I work at one of the most innovative, technology companies in the state of Florida and that’s an awesome feeling. If we can produce electricity while we’re doing that and keep customers’ bills low, which we’ve proven we can do, I think we’ve got a great future ahead of us.”
Geoff plays an active part in transforming Florida while helping to keep bills low.