Woodside Homes has partnered with solar panel giant SunPower, Southern California Edison, the California Energy Commission and the makers of energy efficient products to offer homes that reduce energy bills up to 60 percent.
Dubbed the Solar Advantage initiative, Woodside Homes has integrated solar tiles into their new homes, along with tankless water heaters that use less natural gas.
The houses also include high-efficiency heating and air conditioning units, energy saving appliances and improved windows and insulation.
Woodside Homes' Solar Advantage effort, part of the California Energy Commission's New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP), is the largest roll out of energy efficient homes in Southern California.
Solar Advantage homes are also being included in Woodside's Ironwood community in Temecula, Calif. and seven other new-home communities in Menifee, Calif.
"Most of the builders we work with include the installation of high-performing SunPower solar power systems with high-quality energy efficiency features," says Bill Kelly, GM of SunPower's new homes division.
"This combination of solar technology and energy efficiency results in very low utility costs for the homeowner while improving home comfort.
"This is a great value for homeowners, and an investment by our homebuilder partners towards cleaner air and a better environment."
Here is a sampling of the selling rate of these new solar home vs. non-solar homes (source Woodside Homes):
Sacramento: solar homes are selling at 3.20 per month, while non-solar homes are selling at a rate of 1.90 per month
San Francisco Bay Area: solar homes are selling at rate of 3.24 per month, while comparable non-solar homes are selling at 1.33 per month
Central Valley: solar homes are selling at rate of 4.72 per month, while non-solar homes are selling at 2.37 per month
"These homes will save consumers money on their utility bills, protect them from rising utility rates and add to the value of their home," says California Energy Commission chairwoman Jackalyne Pfannenstiel.
"The Woodside Homes Solar Advantage program allows homeowner to use Riverside County's abundant sunshine to make clean renewable energy for their new home."