California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has attracted national attention for his aggressive agenda involving progressive issues such as clean energy and reducing carbon emissions.
At Governor Schwarzenegger's State of the State Address on January 7, 2007, he proposed "…that California be the first in the world to develop a low carbon fuel standard that leads us away from fossil fuels."
In response to Gov. Schwarzenegger's inspiring directives, California company Generation Homes has partnered with REC Solar to build one of the largest solar communities in the state.
Robert Wood, president and CEO of Generation Homes, a residential homebuilder in California's Central Valley, has announced that in response to a growing demand for cost savings as well as environmental sensitivity, Generation Homes will now include solar energy in all its new home neighborhoods in Fresno and Reedley.
Generation Homes has teamed with REC Solar, a national leader in the solar energy industry, to provide first time and new home buyers with solar electricity systems.
"We are committed to providing cost-effective energy alternatives to home buyers," Wood said. "While solar energy shouldn't be viewed as a luxury, installation is too often viewed that way. We are going to change that perception."
Solar electricity has continued to grow into a popular option, especially in locations known for extreme temperatures such as California's Central Valley, because it lowers energy bills and protects consumers from future electricity rate increases and runaway fossil fuel prices.
However, installation can be costly, so Generation Homes decided to eliminate the barrier that stood between cost and energy savings for new homeowners.
Susan Hamel moved into a Generation Homes community in Reedley and had a solar system installed as an option. "It saves us money. It helps the environment. We couldn't be happier."
Indeed, what was once a technology reserved for only the very progressive and environmental has become a mainstream cost saving tool practical for the average home and business owner.
Matthew Woods, Director of Sales for REC Solar, believes that "developers in the central valley have taken note of the numerous financial and environmental benefits of solar electricity. In fact, the central valley is home to two of the state's largest solar communities, with Valley Pacific Builders' Villa Carmel boasting 44 new homes and Generation Homes set to build over 200 new homes all powered by solar electricity."
"Attitudes are changing," says Gregg Fisher, a consultant for REC Solar, which is providing systems for both Generation Homes and Valley Pacific Builders. "Financially savvy people are choosing solar because they can see the difference on their electricity bills."
Fisher estimates a typical 3kW system installed in a Generation Homes house will produce monthly savings of $80 to $130.