Nation's Largest Solar Community to be Built by Lennar
Lennar today announced
a partnership with PowerLight
Corporation and Roseville
Electric to build the nation’s largest solar community.
The Sacramento division of the national builder, Lennar, operates locally as
Renaissance Homes and Winncrest Homes and will integrate photovoltaic systems
and upgraded energy efficiency measures into 450 new homes slated to be built
in Roseville over the next two years.
“We’re thrilled with this opportunity to provide our homebuyers with
solar electricity - a clean renewable energy source,” said Division President
Jeff Panasiti. “This was just one more way for us to add value to our successful
Everything’s Included™ (ei) Program and to continue our strong history
and innovative use of energy efficient products and environmental conscious
home building.”
The PowerLight SunTile™ solar electric system will be installed as a standard
feature on each home. PowerLight's SunTile™ is a roof-integrated technology,
blending beautifully and seamlessly into the homes’ design.
“We are really pleased to be part of Lennar’s impressive Everything’s
Included™ Program. With these attractive solar communities in Roseville,
Lennar and Roseville Electric are demonstrating real environmental leadership,
and providing their customers with tremendous savings on their utility bills,"
said Howard Wenger, Executive Vice President of PowerLight.
The benefits of this solar community include significant utility bill reductions
for Lennar customers, and the generation of completely emissions-free electricity.
Buyers of these solar-powered Lennar homes may qualify (through 2007) for a
$2,000 tax credit.
By producing clean, renewable electricity, the solar community will reduce
CO2 emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels – in quantities equivalent
to planting more than 65 acres of trees, and not burning 57,000 barrels of oil.
Within the WestPark master planned community, there will be a total of 77 residences
offered by Winncrest Homes at Wayfarer later this summer. Renaissance Homes
will integrate the solar electric system into 75 homes beginning in June with
the opening of Ironcrest at Fiddyment Farm.
Winncrest Homes’ Walkabout is slated to open in 2007 and plans to offer
118 homes with a photovoltaic system. More than 200 homes slated for other villages
in Fiddyment Farm will include photovoltaic systems beginning in early 2007.
Lennar’s participation in Roseville Electric’s programs shows innovation
and leadership in the building industry and will serve as a model for future
residential projects. Roseville Electric believes home buyers are interested
in all types of energy efficiency measures – including photovoltaic systems
– as a way to reduce their utility costs and support renewable energy efforts.
"Roseville has a nationwide reputation for providing an outstanding quality
of life for families and this exciting partnership to create the nation's largest
solar community is another example of why Roseville is an amazing place to live,"
Mayor Gina Garbolino said.
"Roseville Electric is dedicated to providing our residents with award-winning,
reliable service and low-cost electricity. I am a strong advocate of solar energy
and I support Roseville Electric's efforts to offer green, renewable energy
programs like solar that help reduce our nation's dependence on fossil fuels,"
Garbolino said.
Mr. Wenger noted: “Roseville has a great solar resource. By harvesting
the region’s abundant sunlight and including solar power as a standard
feature, Lennar and its customers are contributing significantly to California’s
energy independence. Lennar and Roseville’s commitment to solar is great
for the homebuyer, great for the environment, and great for California."
Posted 5th May 2006
