The 17,000 acre green city of Babcock Ranch will consume less power than the proposed FPL on-site solar PV facilities will produce. The city will also be home to an integrated smart grid. All commercial buildings and homes in the city will be certified as energy efficient and constructed according to Florida Green Building Council standards.

Subject to State of Florida approvals, groundbreaking on the FPL solar PV facility is targeted for late 2009, with construction of the city centre targeted for mid-2010 and construction of the first residential and commercial buildings targeted for late 2010.

Florida Power & Light Company Chief Development Officer Eric Silagy, says: “FPL has secured the necessary land, local zoning and transmission access for a 75 MW project and could move forward with construction as early as the end of the year pending such approvals.”

Babcock Ranch will also feature sustainable water management and conservation; street lamps designed to reduce light pollution; electric car chargers; and green roofs that reduce energy loss.