America’s first solar-powered community has had a “mind-blowing” effect on residents’ power bills — and it’s even getting attention for surviving Hurricane Milton unscathed, and without losing power.
Billed as “the Hometown of Tomorrow,” this planned community in Punta Gorda, FL, just 15 miles from Fort Myers, is fueled by solar energy, due to the 880-acre solar field on the Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center.
Its central gathering place, Founder’s Square, even has solar trees where residents can charge their devices.
Every home in Babcock Ranch is built to the minimum Bronze Standard FGBC Certification, which has many energy-saving components. The models range in price from slightly below $300,000 to $4 million.
The ultra-resilient structures feature high-performance windows and insulation; tight construction and ducts; efficient heating and cooling equipment; and energy-saving lighting and appliances.
All of those features lead to lower utility costs — and it’s attracting residents.
“It’s very necessary to know that you just are having a positive impact on the Earth,” says Jason Upperco, a 49-year-old executive who recently had a house in-built Babcock Ranch.
Upperco even moved in ahead of plan, leasing a spot in the neighborhood’s build-to-rent area, called The Flatwoods, to get the lay of the land.
Resident Janette Dulaney says when she opened her first electric bill after moving to Babcock Ranch, it was “mind-blowing.”
“It was half the associated fee of our old home’s, yet now we have double the square footage now,” she told the Babcock Ranch Telegraph.
“It’s also helping the environment,” Dulaney noted, calling it a serious win-win.
Homes are climate-resilient, too
The energy-efficient homes in Babcock Ranch are climate-resilient, too. The community has even gained fame as “Florida’s first hurricane-proof town.”
“We’re on a mission to construct probably the most modern, resilient, and climate-resilient town in America, and in just a few short years, we’ve done just that,” says former NFL player Syd Kitson, co-founder of Babcock Ranch.
Despite the fact that Florida is the hurricane capital of America, all of the homes and buildings in Babcock Ranch are built to resist 150 mph winds. They’re also situated inland and 30 feet above sea level, which minimizes the impact of storm surges.
About 90% of the community is built on preserved wetland, which naturally collects excess water and prevents flooding.
The community even has Smart Pond systems, that are connected to live weather forecast data. That information is used to project water levels and, if needed, mechanically lower the water levels before a storm arrives.
When Hurricane Milton hit Florida last month, two Babcock Ranch buildings were designated as shelters by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and a pair of,000 people sought shelter there.
Although 3.3 million people lost power in Florida within the storm, Babcock Ranch never did.
That’s because power lines are buried underground to guard them from wind damage — and the massive on-site solar farm provides reliable power even during grid outages.
Kitson says his Babcock Ranch teams work with (not against) Mother Nature and consistently monitor changing environmental demands.
The inspiration for Babcock Ranch
Sustainability, resiliency, and innovation have been passions of Kitson’s since his college days at Wake Forest University.
After graduation, he was drafted by the NFL and went on to play for the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.
Shortly after hanging up his pads and helmet, he founded an actual estate development company.
“Within the early 2000s, we believed that clean energy and sustainable development could set the usual for the longer term of development world wide,” says Kitson.
In 2006, his team put that belief in motion and purchased Babcock Ranch in Southwest Florida—an area five times the scale of Manhattan.
“Soon after, we sold 73,000 acres back to Florida to be preserved for future generations,” says Kitson.
They then got down to do what nobody has done before: construct a profitable community that works hand in hand with Mother Nature.
For his ingenuity and his efforts, Kitson was named Time magazine’s “Dreamer of the Yr” in 2023.
The road to get here hasn’t all the time been easy, he admits. “To future ‘innovators,’ should you are going to do something unprecedented, be prepared for rejection.”
Kitson has overcome countless roadblocks throughout his journey, but now hopes the “growth and success of Babcock Ranch can encourage communities world wide looking for to depart a positive—or neutral—impact on the planet.”
Upperco believes other communities across the country should follow suit.
“This town needs to be duplicated throughout,” he says.
An array of activities are offered at Babcock Ranch to assist residents reduce their carbon footprint by driving less and staying local.
“I especially like attending the Friday night live live shows and food trucks in Founder’s Square, the weekend pop-up farmers markets, in addition to the assorted fitness and nutrition classes offered through the WellWay health and fitness center on property,” says Upperco.
The neighborhood is walkable, and lots of children walk or ride their bikes to highschool.
“My children spend nearly all of their time playing outside all day with their friends,” one homeowner wrote on Reddit. “All of the parents know to look at out for one another and the children, so there are all the time eyes on them in any respect times. My kids are 9 and seven and so they finally have a life! Truthfully, I never need to move.”
There are five neighborhood lakes, which provide canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Two lodges for residents—Lake Timber Lodge and Cypress Lodge — feature swimming pools, game lawns, and fishing docks.
As well as, Babcock Ranch offers “holiday events, community groups, sports, mountain climbing, biking, golf, pickleball, and the list goes on,” says Upperco. “The community is implausible.”
America’s first solar-powered community has had a “mind-blowing” effect on residents’ power bills — and it’s even getting attention for surviving Hurricane Milton unscathed, and without losing power.
Billed as “the Hometown of Tomorrow,” this planned community in Punta Gorda, FL, just 15 miles from Fort Myers, is fueled by solar energy, due to the 880-acre solar field on the Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center.
Its central gathering place, Founder’s Square, even has solar trees where residents can charge their devices.
Every home in Babcock Ranch is built to the minimum Bronze Standard FGBC Certification, which has many energy-saving components. The models range in price from slightly below $300,000 to $4 million.
The ultra-resilient structures feature high-performance windows and insulation; tight construction and ducts; efficient heating and cooling equipment; and energy-saving lighting and appliances.
All of those features lead to lower utility costs — and it’s attracting residents.
“It’s very necessary to know that you just are having a positive impact on the Earth,” says Jason Upperco, a 49-year-old executive who recently had a house in-built Babcock Ranch.
Upperco even moved in ahead of plan, leasing a spot in the neighborhood’s build-to-rent area, called The Flatwoods, to get the lay of the land.
Resident Janette Dulaney says when she opened her first electric bill after moving to Babcock Ranch, it was “mind-blowing.”
“It was half the associated fee of our old home’s, yet now we have double the square footage now,” she told the Babcock Ranch Telegraph.
“It’s also helping the environment,” Dulaney noted, calling it a serious win-win.
Homes are climate-resilient, too
The energy-efficient homes in Babcock Ranch are climate-resilient, too. The community has even gained fame as “Florida’s first hurricane-proof town.”
“We’re on a mission to construct probably the most modern, resilient, and climate-resilient town in America, and in just a few short years, we’ve done just that,” says former NFL player Syd Kitson, co-founder of Babcock Ranch.
Despite the fact that Florida is the hurricane capital of America, all of the homes and buildings in Babcock Ranch are built to resist 150 mph winds. They’re also situated inland and 30 feet above sea level, which minimizes the impact of storm surges.
About 90% of the community is built on preserved wetland, which naturally collects excess water and prevents flooding.
The community even has Smart Pond systems, that are connected to live weather forecast data. That information is used to project water levels and, if needed, mechanically lower the water levels before a storm arrives.
When Hurricane Milton hit Florida last month, two Babcock Ranch buildings were designated as shelters by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and a pair of,000 people sought shelter there.
Although 3.3 million people lost power in Florida within the storm, Babcock Ranch never did.
That’s because power lines are buried underground to guard them from wind damage — and the massive on-site solar farm provides reliable power even during grid outages.
Kitson says his Babcock Ranch teams work with (not against) Mother Nature and consistently monitor changing environmental demands.
The inspiration for Babcock Ranch
Sustainability, resiliency, and innovation have been passions of Kitson’s since his college days at Wake Forest University.
After graduation, he was drafted by the NFL and went on to play for the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.
Shortly after hanging up his pads and helmet, he founded an actual estate development company.
“Within the early 2000s, we believed that clean energy and sustainable development could set the usual for the longer term of development world wide,” says Kitson.
In 2006, his team put that belief in motion and purchased Babcock Ranch in Southwest Florida—an area five times the scale of Manhattan.
“Soon after, we sold 73,000 acres back to Florida to be preserved for future generations,” says Kitson.
They then got down to do what nobody has done before: construct a profitable community that works hand in hand with Mother Nature.
For his ingenuity and his efforts, Kitson was named Time magazine’s “Dreamer of the Yr” in 2023.
The road to get here hasn’t all the time been easy, he admits. “To future ‘innovators,’ should you are going to do something unprecedented, be prepared for rejection.”
Kitson has overcome countless roadblocks throughout his journey, but now hopes the “growth and success of Babcock Ranch can encourage communities world wide looking for to depart a positive—or neutral—impact on the planet.”
Upperco believes other communities across the country should follow suit.
“This town needs to be duplicated throughout,” he says.
An array of activities are offered at Babcock Ranch to assist residents reduce their carbon footprint by driving less and staying local.
“I especially like attending the Friday night live live shows and food trucks in Founder’s Square, the weekend pop-up farmers markets, in addition to the assorted fitness and nutrition classes offered through the WellWay health and fitness center on property,” says Upperco.
The neighborhood is walkable, and lots of children walk or ride their bikes to highschool.
“My children spend nearly all of their time playing outside all day with their friends,” one homeowner wrote on Reddit. “All of the parents know to look at out for one another and the children, so there are all the time eyes on them in any respect times. My kids are 9 and seven and so they finally have a life! Truthfully, I never need to move.”
There are five neighborhood lakes, which provide canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Two lodges for residents—Lake Timber Lodge and Cypress Lodge — feature swimming pools, game lawns, and fishing docks.
As well as, Babcock Ranch offers “holiday events, community groups, sports, mountain climbing, biking, golf, pickleball, and the list goes on,” says Upperco. “The community is implausible.”
