Pardee Homes Makes a $14K Roof-Integrated Solar Power System by SunPower Standard in Its New LA/Ventura Area Homes

    SANTA BARBARA, CA, July 28, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Take a great green extra for your new home--solar power--without spending your extra green. Plan for lower utility bills, a Federal tax credit worth about $5000 and a property tax benefit.

Add visually pleasing, roof-integrated design, automatic operation (with no moving parts) and proven buyer satisfaction ratings. Then stir your free solar power system with a stylish new home that already exceeds by at least 15% the nation's toughest energy efficiency building code. Now you have "Summer of Solar" from award-winning Pardee Homes.

"This offer removes the barrier of price for home solar power," said Mike McGee, President and CEO of Pardee Homes. "Now you can start putting some of the money you used to devote to utility bills toward other good things for your family--all of us with kids can relate!

"Do it now, while it's free, easy and part of getting yourself into a new home," he said. "And yes, do it for your kids--they look to us to help make the world a better place, and reducing our carbon footprint is certainly part of that effort."

The free solar power system McGee cited is the SunTile system by SunPower Corp. It's valued at approximately $14,000, and is being installed in all new homes starting construction at Cherry Hill in Moorpark Highlands in Moorpark, in Ventura County; and in Laurel Park and Oak Crest in Fair Oaks Ranch in Los Angeles County.

Home sizes for these neighborhoods are approximately 1,830 to 3,960 square feet, with pricing from the upper $400,000s to the upper $600,000s. All homes are in Pardee Homes' master-planned communities that also feature recreational amenities, open space and proximity to Metrolink, freeways and shopping and services.

Value--The high-efficiency1.4 kilowatt, roof-integrated SunTile system is visually pleasing and high-performance, with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty and 25-year power output warranty. An optional, larger SunPower system available with most homes can enhance cost savings and tax benefits.

Savings--SunPower data shows a 1.4 kW system can offset up to 50% of a new, energy-efficient home's electric bill. "Solar power also reduces oil and natural gas use by offsetting peak electricity demand," noted Matt Brost, general manager of SunPower's New Homes Division. "It's a vital part of our national effort to develop clean, renewable, domestic energy."

Cool extras--Nifty features with SunTile include web-based monitoring that lets you view electricity production and usage in your new home online. You can see calculations of the system's positive environmental impact. Plus SunPower provides free apps that let you tap into this data with Apple mobile devices.

Buyer ratings--Customer satisfaction with SunPower systems is another key benefit. In a SunPower customer survey conducted last year 98% of 685 respondents said they would recommend SunPower's system to friends or family members.

Joyce Mason, Pardee Homes vice president of marketing, called the "Summer of Solar" opportunity unprecedented. "It's unmatched by any homebuilder in this area," she said. "Our buyers are securing a quality new home for their family, one that already offers superior energy efficiency and the additional green benefits of our LivingSmart brand."

Pardee model centers are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Monday, when hours are 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Moorpark Highlands and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fair Oaks Ranch. Call 805-530-1508 for Cherry Hill at Moorpark Highlands. At Fair Oaks Ranch, call Laurel Park at 661-299-5409 and Oak Crest at 661-252-2394.

Pardee Homes is recognized for quality homes, responsive customer service and dedication to the educational and civic goals of the communities in which it builds. For its long-term commitments to green homebuilding and sustainable community planning, the company was named Green Building Corporate Advocate by the National Association of Home Builders. For more information go to www.pardeehomes.com

SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and delivers the most powerful solar technology broadly available today. Residential, business, government and utility customers rely on the company's experience and proven results to maximize return on investment. Headquartered in San Jose, SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

# # #