The first entirely solar-powered town in the United States is located on Babcock Ranch in Punta Gorda, Florida. Did you know that the town features the largest solar battery storage system in the U.S.? We are pretty sure that you didn’t. But you do now, and we think this is pretty impressive.
But solar energy is just one of the sustainability and smart growth features of Babcock Ranch. State-of-the-art technology coupled with an emphasis on energy efficiency, water conservation, and ecology is apparent in the construction and design of the town’s commercial buildings and homes. As well as its greenways and transportation features.
The Babcock Ranch is open to visitors seven days a week.
From December 8th, the town is featuring a Parade of Homes, where nine homes are decorated for the holidays.
What is Babcock Ranch
Babcock Ranch is the the brainchild of real estate developer Syd Kitson. In 2006, he bought the entire 91,000-acre ranch that had been in the Babcock family since the early 1900s.
First, he sold 73,000 acres to the State of Florida for conservation, which remains the largest preservation effort in state history. Florida then turned the land into the Babcock Ranch Preserve.
On the remaining 18,000 acres, Kitson envisioned a solar-powered town designed eventually to accommodate 19,500 residences and 50,000 residents and to encompass 6 million square feet of commercial and industrial space.
Kitson’s vision also included setting aside 50% of the 18,000 acres for greenways, parks, and expansive lakes that would back up to the Preserve.
A Partnership With FPL
An arrangement between Babcock Ranch and Florida Power and Light will soon be finalized, whereby you can rise up FPL’s three-story-high viewing tower. The tower provides visitors with an uninterrupted, dynamic view of the town’s 74.5-megawatt solar energy center.
More than 340,000 photovoltaic solar panels have been installed on 440 acres. The center generates clean energy not only for Babcock Ranch but also for other FPL customers.
Babcock Ranch is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Holiday Parade of Homes booklets and free tickets are available at the Woodlea Hall Discovery Center, 42850 Crescent Loop in Babcock Ranch. For further information, call 877-709-6620 or go to www.babcockranch.com.
Net 0 Energy Homes really likes this idea and thinks more cities like this are on their way. If you are interested in solar solutions and you don’t live in a city like this, contact Net 0 Energy now.
Net 0 Energy Homes employs a highly experienced team of expert solar panel installers of domestic and commercial solar panel (PV) systems across South Florida, including West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Florida Keys, and the Bahamas.
We also provide and install radiant barrier attack shield, quality insulation, solar water heaters, solar pool heaters, and a myriad of other amazing products to keep your home’s heating and cooling costs as low as modern science will allow.
Net 0 Zero Energy solar electricity systems are made of high-quality US manufactured modules of top tier quality. While our solar water heating systems are manufactured by Solar Development Incorporated, Florida’s oldest solar manufacturer located in Palm Beach County since 1974.