KB Home makes solar panels a standard feature

[Fledermaus]

As homebuilders seek to stand out in a struggling housing market, more are including green features such as energy-efficient lights, appliances and windows in their standard packages. Now, there's a push to add solar panels.

KB Home, one of the largest U.S. homebuilders, has announced that it's now adding -- as a standard feature in 10 southern California communities -- a small, 1.4 kilowatt, six-panel rooftop solar array that's capable of cutting energy costs by about 30% for a 1,800- to 2,000-square-foot home. The systems are made by SunPower Corp.

"We are raising the bar even higher and taking an important step in making our homes even more efficient and affordable for our homebuyers over the long term, especially when compared to resale homes," Jeffrey Mezger, the company's president and CEO said in Tuesday's announcement. He said if consumers like it, the company will expand the solar feature to other regions.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/03/kb-home-solar-standard-green-feature/1

[hedgehog]

1. The first solar panel costs a million dollars, the next 200 much less.

[msongs]

2. I have a 3.2 kw system. KBHomes will pay a lot less than I did lol - good for them nt

[ixion]

3. cool! I'm building up such a system, but I'm still under 1 kw...

:toast:

[Statistical]

4. Pretty cool idea. Even at $5/watt installed a 1.4 KW system wouldn't significantly

increase the cost of the building (when you consider the median home price in CA). Seems like a very smart idea.

[Nihil]

5. Agreed. (n/t)

:thumbsup: