New Home Builder Tool Kit
New Solar Homes Partnership - Go Solar California!
Kit for participating builders in the NSHP. This kit includes info about the program, case studies about builders and homeowners, a summary of market research on homeowners' perception of solar energy, and more.
Complete Builders' Kit, publication # CEC-180-2009-015, 12/21/2009. (PDF file, 63 pages, 6.7 megabytes)
Individual Sections from the NSHP Builders' Kit
Case Studies
- Homeowners' Case Studies (PDF file, 2 pages, 124 kb)
- Case Study - Treasure Homes: Fallen Leaf at Riverbend, Sacramento, CA (PDF file, 2 pages, 108 kb)
- Case Study - Grupe Homes: Carsten Crossing, Rocklin, CA (PDF file, 2 pages, 84 kb)
- Case Study - Shea Homes: Madeira at Del Sur, San Diego, CA (PDF file, 2 pages, 104 kb)
- Case Study - Centex Homes: Avignon, Pleasanton, CA (PDF file, 2 pages, 92 kb)
- Case Study - Lennar: Laureate, Ironcrest and Wayfarer, Roseville, CA (PDF file, 2 pages, 96 kb)
- Case Study - Clarum Homes: Vista Montaña, Watsonville, CA (PDF file, 2 pages, 104 kb)
- Case Study - Premier Homes: Premier Gardens, Sacramento, CA (PDF file, 2 pages, 116 kb)
- Case Study - Christopherson Homes: Wisteria, Rocklin, CA (PDF file, 2 pages, 112 kb)
Other Materials
- Articles from the News Media (PDF file, 15 pages, 3.8 megabytes)
- Summary of Market Research Results (PDF file, 3 pages, 592 kb)
- Summary of Incentives (PDF file, 3 pages, 592 kb)
- Summary of NSHP Guidelines (PDF file, 3 pages, 592 kb)
- About the NSHP (PDF file, 3 pages, 592 kb)
Additional Resources
- Marketing and Media Support for NSHP Developments. Fact sheet about help for developers. Updated: 12/21/2009. (PDF file, 2 pages, 139 kb)
- Become A Builder Partner - Go Solar California. Brochure for builders. (PDF file, 2 pages, 680 kb)
- Live, Work, and Play in a New California Sun Certified Energy Efficient Solar Home. Brochure for consumers and new home buyers. (PDF file, 2 pages, 556 kb)
- New Solar Home Communities. Insert listing of new solar home communities. (PDF file, 2 pages, 664 kb)
Contacts
- E-mail: If you are a builder or housing developer and would like to participate in the program, please e-mail renewable@energy.state.ca.us.
- Telephone: If you have questions about the New Solar Homes Partnership program call us at: 1-800-555-7794 (in CA) or 916-654-4058 (outside CA)
Tool Kit for Affordable Home Developers
Affordable Home Developers Tool Kit, publication # CEC-180-2009-001, 4/27/2009. (PDF file, 56 pages, 1.9 megabytes)
New Home Builder Advertising Tool Kit
The New Home Builder Advertising Tool Kit is intended for the marketing teams of builders and developers and is tailored to be used as a tool to market their NSHP energy efficient solar home community.
The New Home Builder Advertising Tool Kit provides a variety of pre-designed advertising, including newspaper ads, internet banner ads, micro-website home pages, billboard designs, and more, to help builders get their message to the consumer faster.
Link to Complete Builder Advertising Tool Kit,
publication # CEC-180-2009-0047, 6/23/2009.
Realtors® Information
Brochures
- Realtors® Save Your Home Buyers Money and Energy in a New California Sun-Certified Energy Efficient Solar Home. Brochure for real estate people. (PDF file, 2 pages, 603 kb)
California Solar Initiative - Downloadable Fact Sheets
The following fact sheets are free for public download and may be used for a variety of purposes including education and outreach, sales and marketing, and general information.
- CSI Consumer Guide covers general information for consumers on the California Solar Initiative's statewide incentives for solar energy systems.
- Residential Fact Sheet lists the basic steps in the residential CSI application process, with an easy-to-understand schematic of a PV system and program resources.
- Installer Fact Sheet includes technical information regarding eligibility, energy efficiency audits, warranty requirements, licensing, metering and interconnection requirements, incentive structure, and more. [ Chinese ] [ Spanish ]
- Business Fact Sheet includes information for decision makers regarding the competitive benefits of solar systems, costs and financing options, and other resources. [ Chinese ] [ Spanish ]
- Introducing the Go Solar Initiative includes general information about the program, frequently asked questions and a description of how the process works.
Interviews
Radio & Taped/Audio Inteviews
Interview with Kimberly McFadden by Central Valley Business Times, Sales Counselor of Standard Pacific Homes, July 25, 2009. (7:30 minutes, MP3 file, 7 MB - Please note size!)
Clear Channel Radio Interview with Susanne Garfield, Assistant Executive Director of the California Energy Commission, May 27, 2009. (30 minutes, WMA file, 31 MB - Please note size!)
Clear Channel Radio Interview with Claudia Chandler, Chief Deputy Director of the California Energy Commission, September 24, 2008. (30 minutes, MP3 file, 31 MB - Please note size!)
Standards and Use of Logos
Go Solar California Logo Standards Booklet. Booklet on use and appearance of Go Solar California logo. (PDF file, 9 pages, 2.8 MB)
Sun-Certified Energy Efficient Home Logo Standards Booklet. Booklet on use and appearance of Sun-Certified Energy Efficent Home logo. (PDF file, 8 pages, 2.0 MB)
Advertising
Radio Ads - April/May 2009 - Actor & Environmental Activist Ed Begley, Jr.
15-second radio spot with Ed Begley, Jr. for NSHP & Go Solar California!, 4/30/2009. (MP3 file, 252 kb)
15-second radio spot with Ed Begley, Jr. for NSHP & Go Solar California!, 4/30/2009. (MP3 file, 268 kb)
30-second radio spot with Ed Begley, Jr. for NSHP & Go Solar California!, 4/30/2009. (MP3 file, 456 kb)
30-second radio spot with Ed Begley, Jr. for NSHP & Go Solar California!, 4/30/2009. (MP3 file, 508 kb)
Radio Ads - Earth Day/Sweepstakes Kick-Off, April 22, 2009
15-second radio spot on NSHP & Go Solar California!, 4/2009. (MP3 file, 520 kb)
30-second radio spot on NSHP & Go Solar California!, 4/2009. (MP3 file, 944 kb)
Radio Ads - June 2008
Male Voice - 15-second radio spot on NSHP & Go Solar California!, 6/23/2008. (MP3 file, 504 kb)
Female Voice - 15-second radio spot on NSHP & Go Solar California!, 6/23/2008. (MP3 file, 512 kb)
Text of 15-second radio spot, 6/23/2008.
Do you want to save money on your energy bills and help the environment? Check out Go Solar California dot org to find energy efficient solar homes that can reduce your utility bill by up to 60%. The California Energy Commission and the New Solar Homes Partnership remind you to Go Solar California!
NSHP Brochures - May 2009
Become a Builder Partner, (PDF file, 1 page, 472 kb)
Live, Work, and Play in a New California Sun Certified Energy Efficient Solar Home, (PDF file, 1 page, 560 kb)
California Sun Certified Solar Home Communities, (PDF file, 1 page, 660 kb)
Join NSHP Flyers - May 2008
Solar is another word for sold, Advertising Flyer, 5/28/2008. (PDF file, 1 page, 152 kb)
Energy efficient solar homes energize your sales, Advertising Flyer, 5/5/2008. (PDF file, 1 page, 156 kb)
Environmentally sensitive. Economically smart, Advertising Flyer, 5/5/2008. (PDF file, 1 page, 152 kb)
Green puts builders into the black, Advertising Flyer, 5/5/2008. (PDF file, 1 page, 152 kb)
Market Research Surveys and Reports
Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, & Associates Market Research Studies Reports of the New Solar Homes Partnership Public Awareness Campaign
New Solar Homes Partnership - New Construction Home Buyers Market Research Comparison Report for 2007 to 2009, posted January 28, 2010. (PDF file, 43 pages, 436 kb)
New Solar Homes Partnership - New Construction Home Buyers Market Research Comparison Report for 2007 to 2008, posted January 28, 2010. (PDF file, 50 pages, 452 kb)
NAR Home Buyer and Seller Survey Shows Rise in First-Time Buyers, Long-Term Plans
The consumer survey of home buyers and sellers shows First-time home buyers reached the highest market share on record during 2009. The study was released here at the 2009 REALTORS® Conference & Expo. More ...
Greener Pastures for America's Homebuilders?
Despite some encouraging environmental and energy-efficiency developments in recent years, none of America's 13 largest publicly traded homebuilders has "fully embraced the emerging market of sustainable building design and construction," according to a study by Calvert Group Ltd. -- one of the nation's leaders in the field of sustainable and responsible investing -- with support from the Boston College Institute for Responsible Investment.
Greener Pastures for America's Homebuilders? A Survey of Sustainable Practices by the Homebuilding Industry, white paper prepared by Calvert Group Ltd. and Boston College Institute for Responsible Investment. Study reposted with permission. (PDF file, 16 pages, 175 kb)
News Release About Survey, Calvert News, June 4, 2008.
Residential Green Building "SmartMarket Report"
A 28-page report (cost is $89) that addresses the growing trends and opportunities in green home building. McGraw-Hill Construction conducted targeted market research to obtain new information on green building in the residential construction sector.
Link to Information About Report by McGraw-Hill and NAHB
News Release About Report from National Association of Home Builders, May 19, 2008.
SCHOTT Solar Barometer Survey
A national poll reports that 94% of Americans say "It's important for the U.S. to develop and use solar energy." The SCHOTT Solar Barometer Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between May 29th and June 2nd, 2008. The Solar Energy Industry Association and SCHOTT Solar, one of the trend-setting manufacturers of solar energy technologies, commissioned the survey.
Download Survey Summary, June 2008. (PDF file, 2 pages, 198 kb)
New Construction Home-Buyers Market Research Report
Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates was commissioned by the California Energy Commission to conduct market research in support of the New Solar Homes Partnership's public awareness campaign. The baseline market research, conducted from March to May 2007, included focus groups and a telephone survey designed to examine the attitudes, behaviors and preferences of new home buyers toward solar electric power. This report details the findings of that research and its implications for the public awareness campaign.
New Solar Homes Partnership New Construction Home Buyers Market Research Report, consultant report, publication # CEC-180-2008-003, 4/9/2008. (PDF file, 79 pages, 1.6 megabytes)
Contact Us
- E-mail: If you are a builder or housing developer and would like to participate in the program, please e-mail renewable@energy.state.ca.us.
- Telephone: If you have questions about the New Solar Homes Partnership program call us at: 1-800-555-7794 (in CA) or 916-654-4058 (outside CA)