Homebuilder Goes 100% Solar in California
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 02.28.07
One of the nation's biggest home builders, Lennar Homes, has announced it will be installing solar power systems in all of its new homes in the San Francisco Bay Area. The "standard" solar package makes use of PowerLight "Sun Tiles" by SunPower. These solar tiles integrate into a roof of a home just like regular tiles. In its promotional video and related materials, SunPower boasts that homeowners will experience savings of 40% to 50% on their energy bills as a result of installing its solar tiles. The company also notes that homes such as those in the Milano community employ a variety of energy-saving technologies. These include double-pane windows, high-performance insulation, low-wattage lighting systems and other features.
Lennar made the announcement during the opening of a new all-solar housing development in the Bay Are suburb of Danville. The "Milano at Monterosso" community is the first of three solar-powered housing projects that Lennar plans to open in the Bay Area this year. The company will also construct 650 solar homes in the California town of Roseville, north of Sacramento.
See also: SunPower's New Super-Efficient Solar Panels
:: Via DailyTech
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- 7 Great Weekend Solar Power Projects
- How to Use a Solar Oven: Beans and Rice Recipe
- How to Use a Solar Cooker: What Works and What Doesn't
- Renovation Nation Episode: Portland, OR—Rock, Paper, Scissors, Concrete
- Travel Green and Save Money without Giving Up Anything (Except Your Carbon Footprint)
- Discover San Francisco's Secret Treasures While Volunteering!
I just closed on a Lennar home 2 weeks ago. It would have been nice to have this option in Texas about 7-8 months ago.
All homebuilders should take note of Lennar's efforts to save our earth!