New Solar Homes Partnership Communities
WHAT IS THE NEW SOLAR HOMES PARTNERSHIP?
The California Energy Commission's New Solar Homes Partnership is part of the comprehensive statewide solar program, known as the California Solar Initiative. The New Solar Homes Partnership provides financial incentives and other support to home builders, encouraging the construction of new, energy-efficient solar homes that save homeowners money on their electric bills and help protect the environment.
WHAT IS AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT SOLAR HOME?
In California's New Solar Homes Partnership, a solar home is a highly energy efficient home that uses photovoltaic (or PV) modules to generate electricity from the sun. While the science to convert sunlight directly into electricity has been around for decades, in recent years both the technology and economics have improved for photovoltaics, and now systems are becoming mainstream. Currently, California has tens of thousands of homeowners enjoying the benefits of solar on their homes.
SAVE MONEY - GO SOLAR!
Reduce utility bills - Using California's abundant sunshine, homeowners SAVE UP TO 60 PERCENT on their bills in a new energy-efficient solar home. Coupling energy efficiency with solar technology reduces the homeowner's total energy needs and uses the sun to generate electricity.
Get paid for energy efficiency - Homes from builders participating in the New Solar Homes Partnership are at least 15 percent more efficient than current state building standards. Builders are also encouraged to achieve 35 percent greater efficiency. California's utilities may offer additional incentives to meet these efficiency levels. Plus, if the PV system generates more electricity than used by the home, the utility company credits the homeowner's account through a program called "Net Metering." If more electricity is used, then the credits are applied to the bill. To take full advantage of net metering, systems should be sized to generate no more than the home will use over the course of a year.
Protect against rising energy costs - Energy efficiency and solar energy give homeowners more energy independence because they are better protected against rising energy costs. Solar homes generate power when electricity is the most expensive.
Earn tax credits - Solar homes also qualify for a federal income tax credit of $2,000. Energy efficiency measures may qualify the home for an additional $2,000 in federal tax credits.
SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT - GO SOLAR!
Best of all, buying an energy-efficient solar home is one of the most significant personal actions one can take to cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,while helping to conserve precious energy resources for future generations. It also reduces the need for costly new power plants.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Solar homeowners can be assured that their solar system works because they are backed with a 10-year system warranty. PV modules are warranted to last 20 years or more.
A solar home with high energy efficiency features offers homeowners:
- Clean, renewable energy
- Utility bill savings
- Predictable utility costs
- Protection against future, rising electricity costs
Listing of New Solar Homes Partnership Communities