Solar-powered and storm-ready: Inside Cortez’s resilient new community

CORTEZ, Fla. — For one Florida builder, rebuilding after disaster isn’t just a job — it’s personal.

In Cortez, where hurricanes have left entire neighborhoods underwater, a new kind of community is taking shape — built higher, stronger, and smarter. At Hunters Point, the focus isn’t just on recovery, but on rethinking how homes are built along Florida’s vulnerable coastlines.

For Director of Construction Alex Velichko, the mission is deeply personal.

“I love it out here,” he said.

Velichko says his passion for the work comes from lived experience.

“I love being in this position … because I had to rebuild my own life. I lost everything,” he said. “And being able to help somebody else that’s going through the same situation … it’s extremely rewarding.”

Years ago, while living in Sarasota, a massive oak tree crashed into his home during a storm.

“It was pretty devastating,” he said. “So I know exactly how people feel when they lose everything… I went through it, too.”

Now, he’s helping lead a shift in how coastal homes are designed and built.

“These homes are the future. This is how the building industry needs to reshape itself,” Velichko said.

At Hunters Point, every home is equipped with solar power and battery backup, allowing residents to maintain power even when the grid goes down.

Bill Johnson, president of Brilliant Harvest LLC and President of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, says that independence is what makes the community stand out.

“What makes Hunters Point unique is that every home in this development has its own solar power system and a battery backup system,” Johnson said.

That resilience was tested during recent storms.

“All of these homes after hurricanes Milton and Helene had power — air conditioning, lights, internet, refrigerators — everything you need after a storm,” Johnson said.

Beyond reliability, the homes also help protect residents from rising energy costs.

Advanced battery systems further strengthen that reliability.

From keeping the lights on after a storm to powering everyday needs like electric vehicles, solar energy is changing how Floridians live — especially in high-risk coastal areas.

For Velichko, though, the work always comes back to perspective.

He says these homes are about more than innovation — they’re about security.

“This is about giving people peace of mind… knowing their home can take care of them when they need it most,” he said.

In Cortez, rebuilding isn’t just about bouncing back — it’s about building forward, with resilience at the center.

According to the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida ranks second in the nation for solar capacity — and that growth is expected to continue for years.