“We’re 30 feet above sea level to begin with, which is virtually a mountain in Florida,” Tyler adds with a smile. “And we built up even more from there. But the real work happens below—smart lakes, smart ponds, and a real-time water tracking system that lets us shift water in preparation for hurricanes. That’s the kind of planning that saves communities.” Solar-Powered. Soul-Driven.
At the literal and symbolic center of Babcock Ranch is the sun.
Long before solar was a buzzword, Florida Power & Light partnered with the Kitson team to create the first utility- scale solar-powered town in America. They started with a 75-megawatt solar array—more than enough to power every home. Then they doubled it. “We actually donated the first 450 acres for the solar array,” Tyler recalls. “At the time, it wasn’t a guaranteed return. It was just the right thing to do.” Today, Babcock Ranch’s 150-megawatt solar field not only powers the town but also feeds energy back into surrounding communities. And it’s not just functional—it’s educational. Residents and visitors alike can climb a three- story viewing tower to see the solar panels stretch to the horizon, visit the Solar Ranch – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center, and learn about clean energy firsthand.
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