Nation's Building News Online

Plain Text Version (Click Here for Graphical Version)

Sponsored by Countrywide Home Loans National Builder Division

www.NAHB.org
Week of November 1, 2004

Front Page

* Housing Expected to Flatten Out From Record Levels in 2005 While Jobs and Economy Grow
* Harley, Dodge Trucks, Toolcat to Be Given Away at 2005 IBS
* Remodelers in Chicago Working to Finish HomeWise Renovation in Time for Thanksgiving
* Housing Snapshot

President's Message

* Make Housing a Winner on Election Day

Housing Forum

* Letters to the Builder's Engineer — On Business Partnerships

Housing Politics

* 2004 Election Night Viewers Guide

Housing and Economics

* Some Relief in Building Materials Prices Is on the Way, Economists Say
* Rebounding Job Markets Spell Good News for Housing
* New Home Sales on the Rise in September
* ‘HousingEconomics Online’ Provides In-Depth Analysis of Housing Market

Business Management

* Financial Record Keeping Can Be Fun — Well, At Least Tolerable

Sales and Marketing

* Searches Easier Than Ever on NAHB’s Official New Homes Web Site
* Sales Office Technology — Keep It Simple and Friendly

Seniors Housing

* Use Universal Design to Meet Buyers’ Needs and Set Yourself Apart From the Crowd
* Cast Your Vote for ‘Aging In Place’ — the Future of Seniors Housing Is at Stake
* New England Hosting Fall 50+ Housing Symposium Nov. 3-4

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Steady Growth Projected for Nation’s Remodeling Industry Over the Next Few Years
* Are You in Compliance? Blame It on Richard Nixon
* National 'Aging in Place Week' Events Slated in 20 Cities

Green Building

* House Showcases Latest Advances in Environmentally Friendly Home Building

Legal Issues

* Ask the Lawyer: About Minimizing Liability for Construction Defects

Building Quality

* Free Monthly Online Newsletter Focuses on Housing Quality-Related Issues

Labor

* Job Corps Students Reap the Benefits of NAHB Membership

Building Products

* Top Builders in GE’s Customer Roster for Solar Technology

Builder's Engineer

* Have You No Common Sense, Man!

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Member Advantage: WorldPointssm Platinum Plus® MasterCard® Credit Card
* Build Your Knowledge at the Custom Builder Symposium
* Awards Programs Deadlines
* Calendar of Events

NBN Back Issues

 

Top Builders in GE’s Customer Roster for Solar Technology

Many of the country’s largest builders are using GE Energy's solar electric equipment and customer service to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient homes, according to the manufacturer. Especially popular are integrated tile systems that blend seamlessly with the roofline.

Headquartered in Atlanta, GE is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — the Supplier 100 of NAHB.

One of the country’s most prominent solar-housing projects — the 1,260-home Terramor Village — will feature GE solar equipment in more than 75% of its homes sited for solar, making it the nation’s largest solar-powered community when it is finished in 2005. Terramor Village is one of six villages comprising Ladera Ranch, an 8,100-unit development in southern Orange County, CA.

Ladera Ranch has served as a springboard for other solar communities being planned and built in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Nevada and other states.


Sponsored by: VirtualBoss Software

The easiest & most affordable way to increase your productivity.
Try the latest version with our new release special!!
Keep all your critical schedule and job site info on your pda.
The only limitation is the contractors imagination.

GE Energy’s growing customer roster includes Centex Homes, Clarum Homes, K. Hovnanian, Morrison Homes, Pardee Homes, Premier Homes, Pulte Homes, Richmond American Homes, Shea Homes, Standard Pacific Homes and Warmington Homes California.

Among projects using GE solar equipment:

  • One of the first multi-regional builders to make a 100% commitment to ENERGY STAR®, Pardee Homes is partnering with GE on roof-integrated solar technology for Evergreen in Terramor Village and at “Soleil at Bordeaux,” San Diego County’s first community of “Zero Energy Homes” (ZEH). GE products are being used extensively in the Pardee’s LivingSmart program, which will account for 2,400 new energy- and resource-efficient homes by the end of next year, according to Joyce Mason, the company’s vice president of marketing.
  • Shea Homes began using GE equipment on some of its first developments in California and is already planning additional projects. “Because of our experience and the response of our home owners to cleaner, renewable energy homes featuring GE’s solar technology, we are already planning our fifth green-living community with GE,” said Bill Pisetsky, vice president of sales and marketing for Shea Homes of Southern California.

While GE’s equipment will generate electricity for the Ladera Ranch and Soleil at Bordeaux homes, any excess power will be fed to the public utility grid, says the manufacturer. Under a local utility “net metering” program, when renewable energy is delivered to the grid, home owners’ meters will spin backwards and yield credits on their utility bills. Both developments are served by San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).

When solar energy is combined with energy conservation practices, the Terramor Village homes can provide up to 70% of a house’s power requirements using solar electricity. Conservation methods include using fluorescent lighting, tankless water heaters and ENERGY STAR appliances; and exceeding California’s Title 24 building code requirements for energy efficiency.

The desire for reliable, affordable and renewable energy has fueled the solar industry’s 30% annual growth for the past five years, according to GE. That growth is expected to continue at an annual rate of 20% or more, putting it among the fastest-growing renewable energy segments of the global power industry.

GE Energy’s current range of solar energy products includes solar cells, modules and pre-packaged systems. The modules range from 35 to 165 watts, while system designs can range from hundreds of watts to megawatts and can be used in either on-grid or off-grid applications.

GE Energy’s solar equipment is manufactured at its facility in Newark, DE.

This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.

[ Go to Top ]

Sponsored by: Countrywide Home Loans

Check it out: Countrywide offers some of the most innovative strategic alliance programs in the industry.
Discover how Countrywide's non-conforming loans can give larger borrowers an edge.

To unsubscribe or to manage your subscription, CLICK HERE

Nation's Building News Online is produced and distributed by the National Association of Home Builders