Californians' Solar Stories
Mudit & Shweta S.
Community: Carsten Crossings at Whitney Ranch
Builder: Grupe Homes
City: Rocklin, CA
PV Provider: SunPower
After seeing solar panels on a friend's home in Sacramento, architect Mudit and his software developer wife, Shweta, became intrigued by both the monthly savings and the positive impact solar panels could have on the environment. When the couple decided to move from their apartment in Citrus Heights, CA and began looking for a new home in the Sacramento area, they were pleased to learn that Grupe Homes offered solar panels. "I looked initially and found only a couple of builders offering solar in locations where I was not interested," says Mudit. "So when I came across this development, it was a pleasant surprise for me."
The couple learned more about solar panels and the benefits to both their wallet and the world from a Grupe sales agent. "When I came across Grupe, I was very happy to see their efforts to make this a truly green development. It made the choice easier for me," says Mudit.
The couple chose a 2,400 square foot home in Carsten Crossings with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and solar panels as a standard feature. The couple estimates they save about $40-$60 a month on their electricity bill. Mudit is such a fan of the solar panels that if presented with a comparable home for $20,000 less and no solar panels, he would still choose the home he has. "It not only helped reduce my monthly bills, added resale value and helps the environment, but it's a cool technology to show my friends and family when they come over to visit," says Mudit.
Janene R.
Community: Madeira at Del Sur
Builder: Shea Homes
City: San Diego, CA
PV Provider: SunPower
Advertising executive Janene was eager to enjoy all the benefits of a newly constructed home and really concerned with finding one that was eco-friendly. "I lived near where the new Del Sur community was being built in San Diego and really enjoyed the idea of the environmental approach and attention to detail that they were providing," says Janene. "I wanted to do as much as I could for the environment while still enjoying a new home."
Packaged as an option by Shea Homes, Janene was happy to add solar panels to her house. Her only concern was that they might be an eyesore on her beautiful new home. Once she learned of the integrated panels offered by SunPower she wanted to do her part to save energy. "I'm just happy to do something that is helping to contribute to a better quality of life for everyone," says Janene.
While she hasn't done extensive cost savings analysis, Janene estimates her monthly electricity savings to be about $50 per month.
David N.
Community: Laureate at WestPark
Builder: Lennar
City: Roseville, CA
PV Provider: SunPower
David, a consultant to the Food and Drug Administration and his fiancée Shelly and nine-year-old son Michael moved into their solar home in April, 2007. A loyal Lennar customer, David is no stranger to home ownership. "This is my second Lennar home, the third new home and the sixth home I've owned," he explains. In addition to the community's proximity to the airport, the family was very happy to find a community that offered solar panels. "I wanted to do something good. I'm an electrical engineer and very into the solar power concept," said David.
Although they were not initially in the market for a solar home, the couple was impressed by their previous experience with Lennar and pleased to learn that solar was included in the price of the home. "The cost was the same as other builders without the panels," notes David.
The family's 2,600 square foot, single-story home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms,10-foot ceilings and is part of Lennar's SOLARplus program. SOLARplus combines energy efficient design with on-site solar electricity which generates up to 60 percent of the home's total household energy. David's first electricity bill in his new home was just $10.
"I love that the power box is connected to the Internet and I can check my home's power output from a website," says David.