This 100% solar community endured Hurricane Ian with no loss of power and minimal damage

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/02/us/solar-babcock-ranch-florida-hurricane-ian-climate/index.html

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The streets in this meticulously planned neighborhood were designed to flood so houses don’t. Native landscaping along roads helps control storm water. Power and internet lines are buried to avoid wind damage. This is all in addition to being built to Florida’s robust building codes.

Some residents, like Grande, installed more solar panels on their roofs and added battery systems as an extra layer of protection from power outages. Many drive electric vehicles, taking full advantage of solar energy in the Sunshine State.

Climate resiliency was built into the fabric of the town with stronger storms in mind.

So when Hurricane Ian came barreling toward southwest Florida this week, it was a true test for the community. The storm obliterated the nearby Fort Myers and Naples areas with record-breaking surge and winds over 100 mph. It knocked out power to more than 2.6 million customers in the state, including 90% of Charlotte County.

But the lights stayed on in Babcock Ranch.

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The storm uprooted trees and tore shingles from roofs, but other than that Grande said there is no major damage. Its residents say Babcock Ranch is proof that an eco-conscious and solar-powered town can withstand the wrath of a near-Category 5 storm.

"We have proof of the case now because [the hurricane] came right over us,” Nancy Chorpenning, a 68-year-old Babcock Ranch resident, told CNN. "We have water, electricity, internet — and we may be the only people in Southwest Florida who are that fortunate.”

Pretty impressive.

Yup.  Those residents and I are both a little ahead of the curve.

 

51 minutes ago, Toastrel said:

This 100% solar community endured Hurricane Ian with no loss of power and minimal damage

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/02/us/solar-babcock-ranch-florida-hurricane-ian-climate/index.html

Pretty impressive.

When you understand how the tech works, it’s really not all that surprising.  Add some collocated BESS units and it’s even better during storm events.

 

I wonder how much of it is due to solar vs the lines being underground. 

It amazes me that new towns are built with power lines above ground. 

4 minutes ago, 20dawk4life said:

I wonder how much of it is due to solar vs the lines being underground. 

It amazes me that new towns are built with power lines above ground. 

Well, it’s a combination of both.  Solar at the actual location where it is needed and underground lines directly from the community located generation.  Without the local generation (solar) that energy could be coming from long distances and can be cut off at any point from wind damage.

6 minutes ago, 20dawk4life said:

. 

It amazes me that new towns are built with power lines above ground. 

Fort Myers may be without power for a month

2 hours ago, 20dawk4life said:

I wonder how much of it is due to solar vs the lines being underground. 

It amazes me that new towns are built with power lines above ground. 

I thought the same thing.  Burying utility lines is a no-brainer when building from scratch.  (I'd like to see a lot of towns bury their power lines anyway, at least when reconstructing streets.)  The stormwater planning probably goes a long way, as well.

 

Another dynamic at play is that Babcock Ranch is 12 miles inland from Fort Myers, and about 20 miles southeast of Punta Gorda.  So they aren't getting the storm surge like Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach and all.

 

Does the solar power help them be off the grid?  If so, what is the difference between having solar panels and batteries, and having generators?

1 hour ago, xzmattzx said:

I thought the same thing.  Burying utility lines is a no-brainer when building from scratch.  (I'd like to see a lot of towns bury their power lines anyway, at least when reconstructing streets.)  The stormwater planning probably goes a long way, as well.

 

Another dynamic at play is that Babcock Ranch is 12 miles inland from Fort Myers, and about 20 miles southeast of Punta Gorda.  So they aren't getting the storm surge like Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach and all.

 

Does the solar power help them be off the grid?  If so, what is the difference between having solar panels and batteries, and having generators?

Gas stations need power to dispense gas. I'd say that's a pretty big difference.

8 hours ago, xzmattzx said:

Does the solar power help them be off the grid?  If so, what is the difference between having solar panels and batteries, and having generators?

Yes.  That town has a combination of solar and batteries.  If you size both right, you can be off the grid, the trick is having enough of both for peak electric days (I.E. cranking the AC 90% of the day)

 

For example, we have a small 10 kWH battery to go with our system.  Right now, between that and the panels I can be 100% off the grid.  (I don't because we have net metering so what's the point of wearing down the battery)  But in July\August?  No. And a hot, overcast day will be the biggest challenge.  

9 hours ago, xzmattzx said:

Another dynamic at play is that Babcock Ranch is 12 miles inland from Fort Myers, and about 20 miles southeast of Punta Gorda.  So they aren't getting the storm surge like Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach and all.

This. What is the population of Babcock Ranch vs. Ft. Myers and Sanibel? Density? Nonetheless, it is impressive they were able to withstand storm with some prior planning. Now replicate this in the larger towns and cities.

The power is on as long as there is sun for the solar panels to function. Otherwise they're importing electricity on the grid and stuck with the same problems as everyone else.

Wow, it only takes 700,000 solar panels to power the 2,000 homes? Definitely a realistic goal for every community to strive for. Very neat. 

7 minutes ago, Kz! said:

Wow, it only takes 700,000 solar panels to power the 2,000 homes? Definitely a realistic goal for every community to strive for. Very neat. 

 

Why do you assume it ONLY powers the homes in the community?   175 megawatts per home is a LOT.*

 

*Making the assumption of 500 kWH per panel given what I've seen as residential options.  If the panels are commercial grade they could be more.  Depending on how old they are, it could be less.  But I shouldn't be far off on the ballpark estimate.

1 minute ago, paco said:

Why do you assume it ONLY powers the homes in the community?   175 megawatts per home is a LOT.

I was just going by the article in the original post:

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Babcock Ranch calls itself "America’s first solar-powered town.” Its nearby solar array — made up of 700,000 individual panels — generates... electricity... the 2,000-home neighborhood uses

 

1 minute ago, Kz! said:

I was just going by the article in the original post:

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Babcock Ranch calls itself "America’s first solar-powered town.” Its nearby solar array — made up of 700,000 individual panels — generates... electricity... the 2,000-home neighborhood uses

 

Towns consist of many buildings, not just homes.  

 

I'm also curious if they are trying to offset costs by having more panels than necessary and selling the electricity back to the power companies.  5 years ago I'd say that is likely, but if they did this today in Florida, they will be getting pennies on the dollar back from FPL with the new laws put in place.  This community is likely grandfathered in on the full rate for 20 years if they went that route

3 hours ago, paco said:

Yes.  That town has a combination of solar and batteries.  If you size both right, you can be off the grid, the trick is having enough of both for peak electric days (I.E. cranking the AC 90% of the day)

 

For example, we have a small 10 kWH battery to go with our system.  Right now, between that and the panels I can be 100% off the grid.  (I don't because we have net metering so what's the point of wearing down the battery)  But in July\August?  No. And a hot, overcast day will be the biggest challenge.  

Yeah, you have to have enough batteries to supply power for your use when it's cloudy or on days when the panels are not supplying enough power directly.

But it doesn't matter, Florida will use the FEMA money to rebuild houses without Solar along the coast setting them up for destruction once again.

No wonder why the Insurance companies are fleeing the State.

25 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

Muce Fla, the town/area right next to Babock has regular power grid, and they didnt lose power either. 

MAYBE JUST MAYBE it was about location and location of the storm surge and NOT solar

Fing idiots

Tell me you didn't read the article without saying you didn't read the article.  There was more to it than just solar panels that kept the community online.  

Here come the Luddites. 

1 hour ago, paco said:

Tell me you didn't read the article without saying you didn't read the article.  There was more to it than just solar panels that kept the community online.  

Location. 40 miles inland probably helped.

8 minutes ago, greenskeeper said:

Location. 40 miles inland probably helped.

No doubt that helps.  But it was also 12 miles north east of Fort Myers, which got wiped.  The fact it was designed with floods in mind was a huge factor in their survival (for lack of a better word)

 

So while I won't discount that fact, that little bit extra won't turn a Cat 4 hurricane into a drizzle.

2 hours ago, Kz! said:

Wow, it only takes 700,000 solar panels to power the 2,000 homes? Definitely a realistic goal for every community to strive for. Very neat. 

Do think that maybe solar technology will advance and the size of panels will be drastically reduced? 

4 hours ago, toolg said:

This. What is the population of Babcock Ranch vs. Ft. Myers and Sanibel? Density? Nonetheless, it is impressive they were able to withstand storm with some prior planning. Now replicate this in the larger towns and cities.

The power is on as long as there is sun for the solar panels to function. Otherwise they're importing electricity on the grid and stuck with the same problems as everyone else.

This is a false narrative.  Panels today are still extremely good at generating power during cloudy conditions. If your point was true, the massive solar projects I developed east of the great lakes in upstate NY would be useless for major parts of the year.  They are not.

Just now, Tnt4philly said:

Do think that maybe solar technology will advance and the size of panels will be drastically reduced? 

KZ knows zero about community solar and should probably keep his mouth shut about the subject  

Just now, Tnt4philly said:

Do think that maybe solar technology will advance and the size of panels will be drastically reduced? 

Things becoming smaller and more efficient as the technology advances? That's just crazy talk.

5 minutes ago, barho said:

This is a false narrative.  Panels today are still extremely good at generating power during cloudy conditions. If your point was true, the massive solar projects I developed east of the great lakes in upstate NY would be useless for major parts of the year.  They are not.

KZ knows zero about community solar and should probably keep his mouth shut about the subject  

My 30 panels did 10.7 kWh yesterday.  I'm at 4.2 today.   Not bad but not great.  (unfortunately I can't compare it to prior sunny days at this time to get a feel how it compares)

7 minutes ago, Boogyman said:

Things becoming smaller and more efficient as the technology advances? That's just crazy talk.

Imagine if we would have waited to develop the computer until we could all wear it in our wrist?

13 hours ago, we_gotta_believe said:

Gas stations need power to dispense gas. I'd say that's a pretty big difference.

Wouldn't everyone get gas before the hurricane or in the early fall and store it somewhere?  I have a gas can for my lawnmower and fill it up ahead of time, instead of going to the gas station right when I am planning to mow the lawn.