First Solar city in the world will be in Florida

It has been recently announced that the first city in the world to be powered by the sun will be constructed right here in Florida. Babcock Ranch has made an agreement with electric utility company, Florida Power & Light to build the world’s largest photovoltaic power plant. This stepping stone for the green community which is located near Ft. Myers, FL. will also produce thousands of temporary jobs and roughly 20,000 permanent jobs for the state economy.

According to the Sierra Club website, the 17,000 acre city will consume less power than the FPL on-site solar facilities will produce, allowing it to become the first city on earth to be powered by by zero emission solar energy. All of the commercial buildings and homes in Babcock Ranch will be certified as energy efficient by the Florida Green Building Council.

The city itself will feature sustainable water management and conservation, street lamps designed to reduce light pollution, electrical car chargers and an integrated smart grid system, and green roofs that minimize building energy requirements. Homes, parks, offices and shops will all be within walking distance. Kind of sounds like an eco-friendly Celebration, huh?

These 17,000 acres are also surrounded by 72,000 acres of natural conservation. The Babcock Ranch Preserve will be facilitated by the real estate investment group, Kitson & Partners whom focus on sustainable communities.

Subject to State of Florida approvals, the FPL solar facility is targeted for late 2009, with construction of the city center expected to begin in mid-2010.

For more information about this ’sun city of tomorrow’, please check out the Babcock Ranch official website