California's Victoria Homes to have solar energy pre-built into homes

from SolarBuzz.com

Victorville, CA, USA: Photovoltaic System to be a Standard Feature on Hundreds of Victoria Homes

Victoria Homes, one of Southern California’s most-respected and innovative homebuilders, today announced that PowerLight’s SunTile™ solar electric systems, paired with ConSol’s energy efficiency solutions, are to be standard features on hundreds of new homes being constructed by Victoria in Southern California.


A Victoria Homes Solar Roof System

Through a combination of today’s most advanced, energy-efficient design features with on-site solar power, these homes are designed to produce more than half of the electricity that they use. As a result, buyers of these homes built by Victoria Homes will see annual utility savings of up to 70%.

“Victoria Homes is pleased to partner with PowerLight and ConSol to incorporate solar power and state-of-the-art energy design techniques as key features in our beautiful new communities in Victorville and surrounding areas,” said Paul R. Osborne, Founder and President of Victoria Homes. “These state of the art homes are specifically designed to help our homeowners save energy and make energy. Given today’s rising energy costs and our nation’s quest for energy independence, we feel this is an essential next step to take for our growing communities.”

“We’re excited to be making Victoria Homes even more attractive to prospective buyers by incorporating solar power, green design and other energy efficiency technologies,” added Osborne. “It is not only the right move for our environment, but also lowers the cost of homeownership. Victoria Homes is 100% behind Governor Schwarzenegger’s support of solar on new homes in California.”

PowerLight Corporation is a leading global provider of grid-connected solar electric power systems. PowerLight’s SunTile™ roof-integrated solar systems are the most efficient and advanced residential solar product on the market today. SunTile solar panels, which incorporate SunPower Corporation’s innovative solar cells, seamlessly interlock with roof tiles and shingles, blending into the home’s roofline.


A PowerLight SunTile™System

“We applaud the vision of Victoria Homes in making solar power a standard feature of their new homes,” said PowerLight’s executive vice president Howard Wenger. “Our SunTile solar electric system, combined with advanced energy efficiency, will drastically reduce a home’s utility bill, generating positive cash flow for the homeowner. Victoria Homes’ commitment to solar on every home it is building in Victorville will help the State of California realize its visionary solar policies.”

The recently approved California’s Solar Initiative, which has received broad support from state leaders including the Schwarzenegger Administration, commits the State to 10 years of uninterrupted funding, aimed at enabling thousands of homes and businesses to be powered by solar.

“ConSol is pleased to be partnering with PowerLight to incorporate state-of-the-art energy efficiency solutions through our ComfortWise® program at the Victoria Homes’ development in Victorville,” said Rob Hammon, Principal, ConSol. “The PowerLight solar system is an ideal complement to the comprehensive energy efficiency solutions we offer to home builders. This combination provides extremely low utility costs for homebuyers, and gives the builder highly satisfied customers.”

“Harnessing California’s abundant sunlight by outfitting new residences with solar power will generate clean, reliable, emissions-free energy,” noted CEC Commissioner Jackalyne Pfannenstiel. “The combination of solar power and energy efficiency on new homes will help California meets its growing energy needs and reduce our dependence on imported resources.”

PowerLight, having established itself as the nation’s leading provider of high performing solar systems for businesses, is now offering its products and technology to home builders. In June 2005, PowerLight Corporation, in partnership with ConSol, secured a $2.7 million award with the California Energy Commission (CEC) through its Zero Energy New Home (ZENH) initiative.