Lennar Bay Area Homebuilding has announced two new Bay Area solar-driven communities
Lennar Bay Area Announces Opening of 67 Solar-Powered Homes in Dublin and 87 Solar-Powered Homes in Concord
San Roman, CA, Sept 4, 2007
Source: BusinessWire.com
Lennar Bay Area Homebuilding has announced two new Bay Area solar-driven communities of single family detached homes, extending its current commitment that all new residential developments across the Bay Area will be solar powered. The first development is at Sonata at Dublin Ranch, a 67-home community, equipped with a roof integrated solar electric system from PowerLight, a subsidiary of SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq:SPWR) as a standard feature. The second development is at Centre Pointe at Concord, an 87-home community, also equipped with the same style of solar electric system as Sonata.
Lennar introduced its solar program in February, 2007 when it unveiled the 77-home Milano community in Danville and followed in April with 275 homes located at three Windemere communities. Sonata at Dublin Ranch homes offer three floor plans ranging from 2,244 to 2,851 square feet with prices starting in the $800,000s. The homes in Centre Pointe offer eight floor plans ranging from 1,667 to 2,381 square feet with a price point range starting in the low $500,000s. Visit www.lennar.com for details.
“Our commitment to energy conservation and enhanced value for our buyers has guided this decision to install solar systems in all new construction in Northern California,” said Les Lifter, Vice President of Marketing for Lennar. “We’ve learned that solar power is a value-added element to the home buying decision of Californians. What is particularly important with both Centre Pointe and Sonata is that these homes are affordable for the average home buyer in the Bay Area, who can still reap the financial and environmental rewards of solar energy. Plus, both developments are very closely situated to BART, which gives energy conservationists another incentive to stay out of their cars and reduce emissions.”
In 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1, legislation which put the finishing touches on his Million Solar Roofs Plan, aimed at establishing California as the nation’s leader in solar energy. The plan provides incentives to builders and homeowners who install solar power in new homes and convert to solar energy in existing homes. The bill, which provides support to Lennar’s existing solar energy initiatives, is part of a broader effort to push green energy alternatives across the state.
Although the incentives from the program will not take effect until 2011, Lennar’s commitment to solar-power puts it in the forefront of forward-thinking builders who have their eye on the future and a concern for the environment. The solar energy systems in the Sonata and Centre Pointe homes can generate considerable savings on annual utility bills in addition to the current, one-time $2,000 federal tax credit.
According to PG&E, homeowners will actually produce renewable power to help supply their own needs while protecting the environment. Any surplus power appears as a credit on the homeowner’s utility bill and reverts back to the PG&E power grid. PG&E then subtracts the energy supplied back to the utility from the consumer’s monthly bill. Unlike solar panels of the past, which were elevated above the roof, the SunPower SunTile® solar electric system integrates seamlessly into each home’s roofline.
“The SunTile® systems we are providing to these communities feature the world’s most efficient solar cell, ensuring that homeowners achieve maximum savings on their utility bills each month, while contributing to clean air and a better environment,” said Howard Wenger, Vice President of Global Business Units for SunPower.
The Lennar homes at Centre Pointe and Sonata are part of the Company’s “Everything You Want, Everything You Need, That’s the Logic of Lennar” program. Rather than offering upgrades at an additional cost, Lennar researches what customers want in a new home and includes those items as standard features. These include upgraded countertops in kitchen, bath and laundry room; stainless steel appliances; European style oak cabinetry in kitchen, and much more.
Lennar Corporation, founded in 1954, is one of the nation’s leading builders of quality homes for all generations. The Company builds affordable, move-up and retirement homes in multiple states across the country. Additional information about the Company may be obtained at www.lennar.com A tax professional should be consulted regarding any tax-related matter.