Thursday, April 09, 2009 at 12:26:50 PM - by Nate Lew

Florida's future as a solar energy producer may be even bright amid reports that a former NFL player is planning a solar-powered city there.

A recent report in Time Magazine focuses on Syd Kitson, who spent six years with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys and who has spent the last two decades in the real estate industry. According to the magazine, Kitson hopes to turn the Babcock Ranch area near Fort Myers into a city of 45,000 that also serves as a model of sustainability and solar energy resources.

"Some people think I got hit in the head a few too many times. But I still believe in Florida, and the time has come for something completely different." Kitson was quoted as saying by the magazine, which also said the city would be powered by a 75-megawatt photovoltaic plant run by Florida Power and Light that could begin construction by late this year.

The project would reportedly cost $2 billion, which has encouraged some speculation among skeptics that the project could easily end up a part of Florida's scattered history of ill-fated development ventures. However, Kitson is at least reported to already have the land, about 18,000 acres, and the rights to build on it.

Regardless of what the future holds for this particular project, Florida will soon be home to what will be the nation's largest photovoltaic plant, a project that will generate 20 megawatts of electricity.