New Solar Ranch Discovery Center: Uncover the Energy Behind Babcock Ranch

It’s no secret to the roughly 8,500 residents of Babcock Ranch that solar energy is the community’s superpower. As America’s first solar-powered town, Babcock Ranch houses the FPL Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center and FPL Babcock Preserve Solar Energy Center on 870 acres of land. Each center is capable of generating 75 MW of clean energy, for a combined total of 150 MW capacity and 687,000 solar panels. The FPL Babcock Ranch Solar Energy Center ensures that the net production of clean, renewable energy at Babcock Ranch exceeds the total amount the town consumes.

Another exciting part of Babcock Ranch’s clean energy program? When completed in March 2018, Babcock Ranch housed the largest solar-plus-storage system operating in the U.S. Created by FPL, these ten large gray steel battery storage units can store 1 megawatt of power and discharge for 4 hours. The new battery storage system ensures a steady supply of power on partly cloudy days and at night.

For those interested in learning about solar power, watch it being made and understand its positive impact on the environment, consider visiting the new Solar Ranch – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center.

LEFT: Marvel at the expansive sea of solar panels from the three-story observation tower. STEPHEN MITSKAVICH / BABCOCK RANCH TELEGRAPH

Created through a unique partnership with Florida Power and Light and located at 8500 State Route 31 to the north of Babcock Ranch adjacent to the Babcock Ranch Eco Tour, the facility offers a fun experience for the whole family. The new 2,500-square-foot facility houses interactive exhibits and augmented reality components. Visitors learn about solar energy, battery storage, storm resiliency, EV technology and the flora and fauna native to Babcock Ranch.

A three-story observation tower also provides visitors with a bird’s eye view of the two FPL solar energy centers with a vast array of solar panels as far as the eye can see.

While taking a sneak-peek, self-guided tour, I found fellow Babcock Ranch residents Karen and Roger doing the same.

“People who are skeptical about the sustainability and consistency of solar power and Babcock Ranch’s role in it need to come here,” Karen said. “This is a great facility and resource for us to educate people,” she remarked as she engaged with several of the hands-on displays.

RIGHT: Interactive displays provide a hands-on learning experience.

Meanwhile, Roger was trying his skill at an interactive video game inside the Solar Ranch building. It is a fun and challenging simulation that lets you “drive” an electric car in various situations and remember to charge it when it is time. Like most engaging video games, it is designed to be fun and thrilling and offer an exaggerated take on reality.

Inside the building, visitors of all ages can touch a part of an actual solar panel and learn how it is made and how it works. They can also learn about the hardened underground infrastructure that can keep the lights on at Babcock Ranch during powerful storms, even when the surrounding area may lose power.

Displays educate visitors on endangered species, such as the Florida panther, and how Babcock Ranch provides a corridor for them to use. Another video monitor lets you design and build a city from scratch, including infrastructure, roads, bridges, buildings, people, parks and nature preserves.

A fun fact I learned from my visit is that in only one hour, the energy contained in sunlight reaching the earth is more than all the people in the world use in a year.

“We’re sold on solar power and have 23 solar panels on our home in addition to heating our pool. We do that, and we’ve been able to get money back from FPL for the excess power they generate,” Karen added.

Both marveled at the experience of being at the top of the observation tower and looking out over the two FPL solar centers. The supersized batteries that store excess power are also visible. The two solar energy centers generate enough electricity to power 28,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to those of 34,000 cars per year from Florida roads.

I concluded my visit by walking up to the top of the observation tower. I was amazed at how quiet and serene the experience was. Below, several species of butterflies were busy visiting the host and nectar plants. The small but efficient butterfly garden demonstrated how solar energy centers coexist with nature. A ground-level display shows native species of plants and animals that visitors may see naturally roaming the grounds on any given day.

Staffed by Babcock Ranch Town Ambassadors, the facility is open Wednesday through Sunday.

The post New Solar Ranch Discovery Center: Uncover the Energy Behind Babcock Ranch first appeared on Babcock Ranch Telegraph .