CA HOME BUILDER WILL MAKE SOLAR STANDARD

This is the way it should and eventually will be done. By including the solar system in the overall home price, it adds nothing significant to the monthly mortgage fee yet saves society a bundle in fossil fuel emissions and saves the homeowner a bundle in energy costs over the life of the house. Also, embedded in the home’s cost, it is an expense fairly transferred through changes in ownership.

Builder: Solar energy systems will be standard on new homes
August 22, 2007 (Fresno Bee)

WHO
Lennar Homes (Charles Schein, marketing manager)

A Lennar solar home.

WHAT
Lennar will make solar energy systems standard on the new homes it builds. It is the largest developer in the region to take the step of making solar systems standard.

WHEN
The solar systems will be installed in designated developments now set for construction.

WHERE
Beginning in the small California cities of Clovis and Reedley in the state’s San Joaquin Valley, the program will be expanded to the developer’s other projects from Tulare to Fresno.

WHY
- Building 1000 houses/year, Lennar is one of California’s biggest developers. This program will involve 258 houses.
- Standard system: 2.3 kilowatt expected to cut grid energy consumption by half.
- Installation after construction would cost $15,000 to $20,000.
- Buyer gets $2000 one-time tax credit with purchase.

California has the sun. Instead of letting the desert heat just be a burden that drives energy costs up, the state is using its resource to cut energy costs. Every state has renewable resources of one kind or another. Even turning garbage into methane is better than not doing it. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Schein: "We have to differentiate ourselves," Schein said. "It is a way to give back to the environment we change by putting new homes on it."