May 15, 2007: Warmington Homes
Bright Day for Solar Homes
By Kristina Peterson
Model homes in Vantage of Palo Alto - the Bay Area's largest full-solar development - open this week.
And already, more than 25 percent of the project's 76 townhouses have been sold just off the floor plans alone, said Stephanie Pruitt, spokeswoman of developer Warmington Homes.
Construction of the Peninsula's only development fully powered by the sun began in August 2006 and should be completed by mid-2008. Buyers of the first-phase homes will move in next month, Pruitt said.
With price tags from the mid-$800,000's to low $1 million, the townhouses range in size from roughly 1,200 to 1,600 square feet and each comes with a 2-kilowatt solar electric system installed on the roof.
"Palo Alto had requirements to include (solar panels) as an optional feature, and since the legwork was done, we decided just to make it included," Pruitt said Monday. She said building in the solar panels from Regrid Solar required an extra permit and a slightly longer timeline.
Other green features in the "Eichler-inspired" homes include energy-efficient appliances and windows, motion-controlled lighting and the use of recycled construction materials.
On Monday, Dar Ritter was watching a virtual tour of the townhomes at the site's sales office. Ritter, who works in a building a few blocks away, said he was drawn to the development's "green elements."
"I've been itching for them to be built," he said. Ritter said he lives in a house without photovoltaic panels, but is interested in switching to solar.
Kurt Newick, chair of the global warming and energy committee of the Sierra Club's Loma Prieta Chapter, said selling homes with solar panels already installed eliminates the need for buyers to do their own research.
"If you do a whole development, everyone already has it. It's the way to go," Newick said.
He said all the major developers are starting to get more serious about green building practices, but those in California have more incentive to do so.
"California has rebates for solar, so it makes more economic sense here," he said. "Plus, it's so sunny,"
Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto said the development cuts consumption of gas and electricity, which make up about half of all greenhouse emissions.
"This is very exciting. As we see more projects come through, they need to fit our new reduced greenhouse gas emission footprint," Kishimoto said.
The model homes open to the public Thursday. Vantage of Palo Alto is at 928 East Meadow Drive.