More than 60 residences have been completed in one of the country’s largest solar-powered communities, a 384-lot development from Southern California production builder Comstock Homes.
The Villages at Heritage Springs in Santa Fe, Calif., opened in January and sales have been brisk, according to Bob Comstock. Twenty-five homes have been sold in the community, which features pricing affordable for first-time buyers in the area, with home styles ranging from $385,000 1,390-square-foot townhomes to four-bedroom single-family homes priced up to $600,000. The company attributes the quick sales to the Villages’ attractive location and affordable pricing as well as to customer interest in energy-efficient and solar features.
Each home and the community center are equipped with SunPower’s SunTile integrated photovoltaics. The solar tiles replace traditional roofing materials and lower installation time compared to standard solar panels, the manufacturer says. The panels will generate 60% of the homes’ electricity needs.
In addition to solar power, the Energy Star-qualified dwellings sport energy-saving features such as dual-pane low-E windows, high-efficiency heating and air conditioning, tankless water heaters, energy-efficient lighting, and cool roof tiles. Residents will save up to 60% on their energy bills compared to similar homes without sustainable features, Comstock estimates.
Jennifer Goodman is Senior Editor Online for EcoHome.
