SOLAR HOMES HOT

As my grandmother used to say, what's not to like?

Sales Of Solar-Powered homes In California UP
May 30, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
The Grupe Company (Mark Fischer, senior vice president) & Lennar Homes, real estate developers

WHAT
Houses equipped with solar energy and energy-efficiency systems are selling better than others in some California suburbs.

WHEN
Sales figures are for 2006/07.

WHERE
8 communities in the Whitney Ranch residential development, Rocklin, Calif., near Sacramento; also Carsten Crossings & West Roseville's West Park

WHY
- Whitney Ranch: 1.9 sales/month since 2006; Carsten Crossings: 4.6 sales/month; Laureate, Wayfarer & Ironcrest of West Park: Twice as many sales as 6 adjacent West Park communities.
- Laureate, Wayfarer & Ironcrest have standard feature SunTile Solar power systems by SunPower: integrates into roof construction with commercially available solar cells.
- All developments also include energy-efficient features to reduce utility bills.

QUOTES
Fischer: "Homebuyers value solar systems today because they can significantly reduce their electric bills and help lower greenhouse gas emissions…Families at Carsten Crossings are achieving an average of $120 per month in savings, and enjoy the satisfaction of generating their own clean, renewable energy."