Ground has broken on what will be the world’s largest solar-powered neighborhood. Construction started in February on the first 80 houses of what will eventually be a 650-home community deploying a cumulative 1,500 kW of photovoltaic (PV) solar power in Roseville, Calif., a Sacramento suburb.
The homes, being built by national home builder Lennar, will range in size from 2,400 to 4,000 square feet. Each home’s solar electric system will generate 250 to 290 kWh a month. The 650 homes will use SunPower’s roof-integrated SunTile solar electric system, which replaces roofing material with solar panels. SunPower and its subsidiary PowerLight Corporation (acquired recently by SunPower) are supplying the solar systems.
 Between 250-290 kWh/month will come from rooftop solar panels built on 650 California homes. Courtesy of Lennar Corp. |
The systems generate up to 50 percent more power per unit area than conventional solar technologies because of their back contact cell technology. The SunTile solar electric system costs less to install because it generates more power with fewer panels, thus maximizing energy production while reducing installation cost. A volume purchase agreement between Lennar and SunPower also lets the builder benefit from economies of scale, further reducing installed system cost.
Based on current electricity prices in the Sacramento area, Lennar estimates homeowners will save an average of 40 to 60 percent on their monthly electric bills. The Lennar homes in Roseville range in price from the low $400,000s to the mid $600,000s. Each home’s solar electric system constitutes 2 to 3 percent of the total cost of the home.
About 35 percent of the cost each home’s solar system is covered by incentives provided by the New Home Solar Partnership, a part of the California Energy Commission’s California Solar Initiative. All 650 Roseville solar homes are expected to be completed by 2008. About 50 have been sold to date.
-Steve Blankinship