As part of its ongoing commitment to reduce the cost of home ownership and improve environmental performance, Victoria Gardens teamed up with BP Solar, a global leader in solar energy, to offer solar panels at no additional cost and reduce electric bills by up to 60 percent per home.

This newest feature in Shea Green Certified homes will result in a carbon footprint reduction of up to 48 percent per home, and these homes exceed the 2006 International Energy Code by 45 percent.

"We are pleased to offer our homeowners one of the most popular and effective sources of alternative and renewable energy," said Jeff Gersh, Area Vice President of Victoria Gardens, an active lifestyle community featuring Shea Homes residences located outside of Orlando.

"Including solar energy as an included option with every Shea Green Certified home in Victoria Gardens is not only good for our homebuyers, who are asking for this, but it provides environmental benefits for the larger community."

Victoria Garden by Shea Homes residences will be equipped with a 3-kilowatt solar power system, which helps provide security against electric rate increases, allowing consumers to hedge their future risks in the volatile energy markets and be more energy independent. Homeowners will be able to track how much power their system is producing, along with its environmental benefits, via a Web-based remote monitoring system.

"Creative business partnerships are helping to transform the American residential marketplace with homes that combine energy efficiency with solar power," said John F. Mizroch, DOE acting assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

"These homes will help transform the built environment into healthier, more prosperous and sustainable communities that reduce our carbon footprint, enhance our energy security and contribute to the fabric of a cleaner, more efficient America."

The government's ongoing commitment to supporting renewable energy sources was further validated last week with the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which will extend the Solar Investment Tax Credit for eight years, lift the cap on the current $2,000 allowance and allow the Credit to be applied toward a homeowner's alternative minimum tax.

Effective January 2009, new Shea Homes homebuyers in Victoria Gardens, for example, will receive 30 percent in solar tax credits (based on the cost of the solar system which is $6,000 - $8,000 for Victoria Gardens homebuyers). Homebuyers may also be eligible for state or local credits or rebates, in addition to the federal credits.

Shea Green Certified homes are built with a combination of the most important and cost-effective standards for green residential building set by LEED, National Association of Home Builders, and Environments for Living.

In addition to solar power systems, standard features in Victoria Gardens green homes include solar attic fans, wood from sustainable forests, framing techniques that use up to 10 percent less wood and save 5.5 trees per home, leak minimizing construction via sealed ducts and penetrations, Energy Star-rated efficient appliances, 14 SEER air conditioning units, dual pane low-e windows and motion and occupancy sensor lighting.

"We're proud to be leading the industry with a portfolio of green homes that integrates a mix of energy-saving and energy-generating devices that deliver immediate and long-term savings and superior value to our customer," said Rick Andreen, president of Shea Homes' Active Lifestyle Communities.

A recent Harris Interactive/Trilogy by Shea Homes poll found that baby boomers rank solar technology as the number one most important feature of a green home, followed by energy-efficient appliances and dual pane windows, also found in Shea Green Certified homes.

In response, Trilogy's green homes are built to exceed, by approximately 30 percent, the International Energy Code for energy efficiency. Trilogy homes undergo 20 different tests and inspections by an independent third party to achieve their green certification, which surpasses industry standards.

"Home builders around the country are increasingly seeing the value that solar brings to both their communities and their homebuyers, said Bryan Conklin, director of marketing for BP Solar. "We are proud to support Shea Homes as they become the first national residential builder to offer solar standard across the country."

In September 2008, J.D. Power and Associates ranked Trilogy by Shea Homes highest in customer satisfaction among the largest active adult community new home builders in 33 U.S. markets.

Related Links
Shea Active Lifestyle Communities BP Solar promotion
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com