Babcock Ranch in Florida will become America’s first solar powered town

Located in southwest Florida, Babcock Ranch is not only the America’s largest development currently underway, but it will also be the first town primarily powered by solar energy.

Kitson & Partners unveiled Babcock Ranch, which–when completed–prmisses to be the most sustainable, most innovative and healthiest new town in the country.

Kitson & Partners is a private residential and commercial real estate investment and development company with a portfolio that includes 1.5 million square feet of retail shopping centers, 6.8 million square feet of commercial entitlements, and 21,500 entitled residential units.

A 443-acre solar power plant will be located in the town, with the goal of making Babcock Ranch the world’s first new town where solar energy production exceeds the total energy consumption from day one.

The “FPL Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center” will supply the community and surrounding areas with 74.5 megawatts of clean, renewable solar energy.

Powering it all will be a 74.5-megawatt solar power plant covering 443 acres to soak up the Florida sun (Kitson & Partners)

“Babcock Ranch will exemplify what it means to be a town of the future, offering residents a highly unique balance of the most technologically advanced infrastructure and amenities, with ready access to a rich natural environment and a true sense of community,” said Syd Kitson, Kitson & Partners Chairman and CEO.

“Less than a year from today, the first residents will be settling into a whole new way of life, one that is conscientious, engaging and connected,” Kitson said.

“We are fortunate to have incredible partners who have worked with us from the ground up to build a town that will meet the diverse needs of families, employers, neighbors, businesses, surrounding communities and the natural environment for generations to come.”

Bordered by the 73,000-acre Babcock Ranch Preserve–the single largest land preservation acquisition in Florida history–and the 75,000-acre Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area, Babcock Ranch comprises nearly 18,000 acres–roughly the size of Manhattan.

Although this planned project is promising to sustainable development in the region, many Environmentalists claim the project threatens the habitat of the local Florida panther.