Pre-installed Solar Panels Boost Solar Power Adoption

The residents of The Preserve in Yorba Linda in California will move into their 90-home community knowing that part of the energy they will be using is renewable. That’s because the model homes will come with pre-installed solar panels with no additional cost to homebuyers, the developers say.

The project is a joint venture between SunRun, a home solar provider, and Toll Brothers, a builder of luxury homes. The solar panels were installed by PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems and two weeks ago a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the community to the public.

The companies say the deal will save homeowners money. Besides not having to spend about $30,000 to install the solar panels (the average market cost), SunRun says they can sign up for solar power for no free while service costs will be about $42 per month. That should represent a saving of $50 to $100, depending on the amount of power used.

“Our goal for The Preserve is to not only make cost-effective solar power available to more homebuyers than ever before, but also to set a new standard for the home building industry,” said Jim Boyd, regional president at Toll Brothers. “Homebuyers have shown overwhelming support for the solar option, and this initiative will save them thousands of dollars over the life of their homes.”

SunRun owns, monitors, and maintains the solar equipment. The company says it is meeting a client demand as homeowners usually complain of the hassle of maintenance and upfront costs. “We are working to eliminate these barriers for new home buyers”, says SunRun’s president Lynn Jurich.

Article by Antonio Pasolini, a Brazilian writer and video art curator based in London, UK. He holds a BA in journalism and an MA in film and television.