Florida, Babcock Ranch, first proposed solar-powered community. Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
At no time did residents lose power and no major damage was reported
With only 2,000 apartments, the “heart” of the city is a piece of land with 700,000 solar panels
The city’s power and internet cables are buried underground to protect them from the wind
Renewable energy isn’t just another convenience for residents at Babcock Ranch. It’s just part of everyday life.
Babcock Ranch describes itself as “America’s first city powered entirely by solar energy‘, and this week he made headlines when it was revealed he had managed to keep the lights on while 4 million lost power during Hurricane Ian’s devastating passage.
Just 12 miles from Fort Myers, Fla. and with just 2,000 homes, Babcock Ranch was successful proof that “an environmentally conscious city can withstand the wrath of a storm approaching Category 5,” reported a report Monday CNN.
No power outages or major damage
“We have water, electricity, internet and we may be the only happy people in Southwest Florida,” Nancy Chorpenning, 68, a community resident, told CNN.
A spokesman for Babcock Ranch confirmed that residents They never lost power and no major damage was reportedalthough the gusts of more than 240 km/h managed to uproot some trees and loosen roof tiles.
The “heart” of the city is a huge 870 hectare matrix consisting of 700,000 solar panels. The system produces more electricity than the city consumes and includes batteries to power it on cloudy days and at night.
Visitors to Babcock Ranch can also find solar panels in commercial areas and public spaces, as well as in the homes of some residents, many of whom They drive electric cars.
Florida, Babcock Ranch, photovoltaic array. Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
According to a CNN review, former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys football player Syd Kitson is the brainchild of the project. Kitson envisioned it as a green and innovative neighborhood, safe and resilient to catastrophic hurricanes.
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A life powered by the sun
With an approach grounded in sustainability and resilience to climate events, the community’s development began in 2015 with the construction of its solar array, currently managed by Florida Power and Light. The first residents arrived three years later, and since then the community has doubled in size.
The city was built over the storm surge area, with Roads designed to minimize flooding. The campus of the new Babcock High School doubles as a storm shelter.
According to CNN, the city’s power and internet cables are buried underground to protect them from the wind. Half of the city’s cultural area is entirely devoted to green parks, lakes and trails.
“A life powered by the sun” – this is how the Babcock Ranch website advertises itself.
Florida, Babcock Ranch, autonomous electric vehicle at charging station. Photo: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Most of Florida’s electricity comes from natural gas power plants. Hurricane Ian left more than 4 million customers without power in Florida, according to Portal agency. Almost 400,000 homes and businesses were still without power as of Tuesday.
“It certainly exceeded our expectations for a hurricane like this,” Anthony Grande, a community resident who moved from Fort Myers three years ago primarily because of hurricane risk, told CNN.
Grande, 58, said Hurricane Ian moved “like a freight train” through Southwest Florida. but I was no longer afraid of losing everythinglike when I lived in Fort Myers.
“It’s not what it was 20 or 25 years ago; The storms are getting bigger and that’s no surprise as the warnings have all been there. I think the future of Babcock Ranch just got brighter,” he added.
According to its website, Babcock Ranch is planning a second phase of development that will expand its boundaries and include new neighborhoods. Meanwhile, it offers distinctive neighborhoods for each generation to rise with “the best builders in the nation and Southwest Florida.”
“You will surely find your people,” the website says. “We offer many house designs ideal for young millennials, growing families, empty nesters and retirees alike.”