Solar Comes Standard
Shea Homes, as part of the national builder’s Trilogy line of homes, will be the first construction company to offer solar electric systems as standard on new homes. Thanks to a partnership with BP Solar, Shea is offering 3 kW solar systems as an option for new homeowners who purchase a Shea Green Certified home – at no extra charge. Victoria Gardens, an Active Lifestyle Community outside of Orlando, FL that offers Shea-built homes, will begin offering solar systems as an option on January 1, 2009 (not coincidentally when the federal tax rebates are renewed, including the removal of the $2,000 cap on residential systems).
Shea is building up quite the reputation for green building. The company was named “2007 Builder of the Year” by Professional Builder Magazine and, in September, J.D. Power and Associates rated them number one in customer satisfaction for active adult communities. This makes sense when you consider that baby boomers rank solar power as number one on their list of green priorities. Yet it is not just solar that makes Shea the award-winning builder it has become.
Shea homes are also built to exceed current specifications for green building. Verified by over 20 different tests, Shea’s Trilogy homes outstrip the International Energy Code for energy efficiency by 30%. In addition to solar power systems, new homes come with sustainably-harvested wood, solar attic fans, Energy Star appliances, low-e, windows and many other efficient technologies. The idea is that an energy-efficient home not only saves money for the individual homeowner, but results in a clean, positive environment for the whole community.
Victoria Gardens will be the first of what will likely be many homes and communities that adopt this “solar comes standard” mentality. In the case of Victoria Gardens, homes will be equipped with solar tiles that will provide electricity through integrative PV technology. Shea also has Trilogy communities in California, Washington, and Arizona.
Posted on October 24th in Solar Information by Dan.