Sunshine State plans world's first solar-powered city

Plans have been unveiled for the world's first solar-powered city, a $2 billion (£1.4 billion) emission-free community in Florida. The Sunshine State, which sees 2,700 hours of sun a year, promises a "city of tomorrow" in which every aspect of residents' lives will be driven by solar energy.Located near Fort Myers, on Florida's Gulf coast, the carbon-neutral Babcock Ranch development will house 49,000 people and be powered by its own $300 million (£205 million) photovoltaic plant that will convert sunlight into electricity using a 400-acre field of solar panels."Babcock Ranch will be a true living laboratory of the new-energy economy," said Syd Kitson, the chairman of the developers, Kitson & Partners.According to the plans, the community's 19,500 homes and six million square feet of commercial and civic premises will be fed energy directly from the on-site facility, which, unlike conventional plants, will not require water or produce waste by-products. A fossil fuel plant of the same size and capacity yields 61,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and consumes six million barrels of oil a year.

All residential, civic and business properties will be built using energy-efficient methods and materials, and plants for landscaping the area will be grown on site. Street lamps will be specially adapted to reduce light pollution. Homes will be topped off with "green" roofs that minimise energy loss.Residents will travel in electric cars, rechargeable at roadside kiosks, or on Segways, bicycles, or on foot. Homes, which will range from apartments to detached houses, will be computer-controlled to manage energy consumption and will even take care of some of the chores.

"Throw out your alarm clock in a home that can be programmed to rise and shine, turning on the lights, raising the shades and rousing you with music from the digital server," Mr Kitson said."Stop by the local store on your way home armed with a digital shopping list from your automated inventory system or, better yet, let your smart home place the order for you and schedule delivery."

More than half of Babcock Ranch's total area will be devoted to green spaces, farmland, waterways and wildlife preservation areas. Plans for the world's most environmentally friendly city have been welcomed by conservation agencies including the American branch of the WWF and the country's National Audubon Society.

Richard Moss, managing director for the climate change wing of the WWF, said: "There is an urgent need for the private sector, electric utilities and government at every level to recognise and address the causes and impacts of climate change."Renewable energy, smart grid technology, and energy efficiency are crucial to this effort."

Florida, with its 9.74 per cent unemployment rate and high level of domestic repossessions, is one of America's most depressed states, but the Babcock Ranch project would generate thousands of construction jobs and up to 20,000 permanent jobs in the education, retail and technology sectors serving the community.

The development is planned in partnership with Florida Power & Light, the state's biggest utility company, and comes as Charlie Crist, the state's governor, pushes for legislation that would require electric companies to generate 20 per cent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020.If the plans are approved, construction of the energy plant should be under way by the end of this year, with homes and businesses to follow in 2011.