Earlier this year, Colorado State Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. signed into law a bill introduced in the state’s General Assembly that encourages construction of “solar-ready” homes. The bill, H.R. 1149, requires single-family home builders in Colorado to provide new-home buyers with the opportunity to include solar energy technologies in the home.
As of Aug. 10, 2009, builders entering into contracts with buyers of newly constructed homes must offer to install a solar electric generation and/or solar thermal system, to upgrade wiring or plumbing to accommodate future installation of solar systems, or to construct chases or conduits that will ease future installation of the necessary electrical or plumbing for the renewable energy systems. Builders also are required to provide buyers with a list of local solar installers, created and vetted by the governor’s office, to help homeowners assess their homes’ suitability for solar energy systems at a later date. The mandate encourages the cost-effective use of solar energy by introducing the opportunity early in the home building process, when it is most affordable, and by offering multiple options.
One custom building company, the Colorado franchise of international builder G.J. Gardner Homes, has grabbed the bull by the horns and partnered with local photovoltaic systems installer Vibrant Solar to help it meet the requirements of the new mandate. Not only will G.J. Gardner – Colorado be able to provide the required options, it also will offer Vibrant’s Zero Carbon System, which combines three renewable energy technologies and an energy controller into one package. By pairing a 5 kW photovoltaic system to generate electricity, a geothermal system for cooling and heating, and a solar thermal system for domestic hot water—managed by two KVAR Energy Controllers from KVAR Energy Systems—the Zero Carbon System can help reduce a home’s carbon footprint and energy costs. According to Vibrant Solar, the Zero Carbon System in Colorado can drop a home’s electrical bills to the utility’s flat service rate.
G.J. Gardner – Colorado builds homes at a range of price points, beginning at less than $200,000 and exceeding $2 million. Brook Swientisky, master franchisor of G.J. Gardner Homes – Colorado, thinks it will take time and a greater availability of jumbo loans in today’s tight credit markets for his company’s high-end clients to pursue the Zero Carbon System. But when financial institutions do loosen their lending restrictions, he says G.J. Gardner will be in a position to offer high-end clients a complete renewable energy solution.
