New solar homes are cropping up across California as part of the California Energy Commission’s New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP), which is offering today’s budget-conscience buyers an enticing alternative to banked-owned bargains.
The NSHP is a component of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $3.3-billion California Solar Initiative and has a goal to produce 400 megawatts of solar electricity on approximately 160,000 new homes by 2017.
The Governor tasked the Energy Commission to work with new home builders to create a self-sustaining market for solar homes where builders incorporate high levels of energy efficiency with high-performing solar systems to reduce the homeowner’s electric bill by up to 60 percent.
As home buyers seek to stretch their dollars further, the benefits of owning a new energy-efficient solar home may be a very appealing choice. Not only can a new energy-efficient solar home in California help consumers significantly reduce their electricity bills, but new state and federal incentives can help sweeten the deal.
Right now, solar homes qualify for a federal tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost of the solar installation. In addition, California home buyers can take advantage of a $10,000 tax credit for buying a new construction home and first-time buyers can also qualify for an $8,000 federal tax credit. Buyers should consult their tax professional or the IRS for details.
The Energy Commission’s goal is to assist the industry in constructing and selling new energy efficient, solar homes. Builders who have already joined the NSHP report that solar homes get greater foot traffic to their models and sell faster than their competitors across the street who may not offer solar. These builders have also received positive feedback from buyers who are experiencing tremendous savings on their monthly utility bills.
“After comparing the prices of new homes to older ones and knowing about the benefits of solar, it made more financial sense to buy a solar, energy-efficient home, said Morgan Johnson a homeowner at Grupe Homes’ Carsten Crossings community in Rocklin, Calif. “Sustainability is the way of the future, so if you buy a solar home it will continue to become more valuable over time.”
A new home that qualifies for the NSHP must achieve energy efficiency levels substantially greater than the requirements of the current Title 24 Building Standards. The builder can choose to comply with either of the two tiers of energy-efficiency measures:
Tier I:15-percent reduction in the residential building’s combined space heating, cooling, and water heating energy compared with the current Title 24 Standards.
Tier II: 35-percent reduction in the residential building’s combined space heating, cooling and water-heating energy and 40 percent in the residential building’s space cooling (air conditioning) energy compared with the current Title 24 Standards.
To find an NSHP community in your area or to get more information about the Energy Commission’s New Solar Homes Partnership, please visit www.GoSolarCalifornia.org.
*Entry courtesy Go Solar California