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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, thanks to the 880-acre solar field at 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 just under $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 result in lower utility costs — and it’s attracting residents.
“It’s very important to know that you are having a positive impact on the Earth,” says Jason Upperco, a 49-year-old executive who recently had a house built in Babcock Ranch.
Upperco even moved in ahead of plan, leasing a place in the community’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 cost of our old home’s, yet we have double the square footage now,” she told the Babcock Ranch Telegraph.
“It’s also helping the environment,” Dulaney noted, calling it a major 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 are on a mission to build the most innovative, resilient, and climate-resilient town in America, and in a few short years, we’ve done just that,” says former NFL player Syd Kitson, co-founder of Babcock Ranch.
Even though Florida is the hurricane capital of America, all the homes and buildings in Babcock Ranch are built to withstand 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, which are connected to live weather forecast data. That information is used to project water levels and, if necessary, automatically 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 2,000 people sought shelter there.
Although 3.3 million people lost power in Florida in the storm, Babcock Ranch never did.
That’s because power lines are buried underground to protect them from wind damage — and the large on-site solar farm provides reliable power even during grid outages.
Kitson says his Babcock Ranch teams work with (not against) Mother Nature and constantly 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 a real estate development company.
“In the early 2000s, we believed that clean energy and sustainable development could set the standard for the future of development around the world,” says Kitson.
In 2006, his team put that belief in motion and purchased Babcock Ranch in Southwest Florida—an area five times the size of Manhattan.
“Soon after, we sold 73,000 acres back to Florida to be preserved for future generations,” says Kitson.
They then set out to do what no one has done before: build 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 Year” in 2023.
The road to get here hasn’t always been easy, he admits. “To future ‘innovators,’ if 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 inspire communities around the world seeking to leave a positive—or neutral—impact on the planet.”
Upperco believes other communities around the country should follow suit.
“This town should be duplicated all over,” he says.
An array of activities are offered at Babcock Ranch to help residents reduce their carbon footprint by driving less and staying local.
“I especially like attending the Friday night live concerts and food trucks in Founder’s Square, the weekend pop-up farmers markets, as well as the various fitness and nutrition classes offered through the WellWay health and fitness center on property,” says Upperco.
The neighborhood is walkable, and many children walk or ride their bikes to school.
“My children spend the majority of their time playing outside all day with their friends,” one homeowner wrote on Reddit. “All the parents know to watch out for each other and the kids, so there are always eyes on them at all times. My kids are 9 and 7 and they finally have a life! Honestly, I never want to move.”
There are five neighborhood lakes, which offer canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Two lodges for residents—Lake Timber Lodge and Cypress Lodge — feature swimming pools, game lawns, and fishing docks.
In addition, Babcock Ranch offers “holiday events, community groups, sports, hiking, biking, golf, pickleball, and the list goes on,” says Upperco. “The community is fantastic.”