Finca Bellavista - a sustainable rainforest community

An example of the clean, natural power available at Finca Bellavista

Hydropower System

In keeping with the vision to live sustainably at Finca Bellavista, the founders have opted to utilize the natural resources available at FBV to provide clean power for the community. Rather than tying in to the existing municipal power grid, which is supplemented with coal-fired and diesel-generated electricity, (and continuously has rolling black and brown-outs), the founders have decided to create a private hydro-electric power grid for FBV’s power needs.

When completed, the power grid at Finca Bellavista will be the largest privately-owned power system in Costa Rica. The system will utilize the water flowing through Rio Bellavista to power a custom-designed Canyon Crossflow turbine that will be connected to a Marathon Electric generator; both of which are made in the U.S.A. The water will simply be diverted from the river, through a PVC penstock pipe that will run parallel to the river into the turbine. The water will spin the solid machined stainless steel runner at a controlled RPM rate to produce peak power. Once the water has passed through the turbine it is returned to Rio Bellavista unharmed just as pure and natural as when it went into the pipeline upstream.

Custom-built Canyon Crossflow Turbine that will be installed at Finca Bellavista.

The power grid will be run through a system of transformers and underground power cable along the horseshoe-shaped main access road that runs throughout the community. Residents of Finca Bellavista will have access to tie into this power grid, which will produce peak power of 62 kilowatts at the generator leads. The power system at Finca Bellavista will produce clean, sustainable, and extremely reliable power for the community, all the while virtually eliminating any monthly electricity bills for residents.

Internal components of the turbine where the water is injected to spin the runner in order to produce electricity.

Construction began in 2007 on a network of zip lines and platforms throughout Finca Bellavista tha will allow residents a unique and adventurous view of life in the rainforest. Many areas of the Finca Bellavista community will be accessed by a network of zip lines, or aerial "trails", and rainforest canopy platforms. This aerial transportation system will be for the exclusive use of the residents of Finca Bellavista and their guests and will not be used as a commercial canopy tour. Eighty percent of life in the tropical rainforest resides in the upper level of the rainforest canopy and residents will be able to enjoy this incredible realm of biodiversity with ease. Not only will the zip lines and canopy platforms allow residents of Finca Bellavista to have a fun and adventurous "commute" in and out of their rainforest homes, it will also provide an opportunity to see the rainforest from the same perspective as our arboreal neighbors in the animal kingdom. Arboreal platforms, accessed by zip lines, will provide a relaxing escape from our terrestrial lifestyle and will provide an amazing view of life in the rainforest. Imagine having a picnic lunch high above the jungle floor all the while surrounded by the natural glory of the birds, flowers, and monkeys of the rainforest canopy surrounding you.