An all-solar master-planned community has finally opened in Santee, California, according to Builder Online. Created by Pardee Homes San Diego, the Weston community includes 415 single-family homes in four neighborhoods — Prism and Talus by TRI Pointe Homes Southern California and Lake Ridge and Sandstone by Pardee Homes — across 204 acres.

In order to equip all of the homes in the Weston community with state-of-the-art solar panels, Pardee Homes and TRI Pointe Homes have partnered with SunPower, a San Jose-based solar company. Their panels “deliver more energy and long-term peace of mind with the highest performing solar power systems available.” This isn’t the first partnership between Pardee Homes and SunPower, however, as they have built solar communities jointly for the last ten years. 

Each home in all four neighborhoods will have solar power for lease or for purchase, which will significantly increase energy efficiency for homeowners. While Pardee has been offering solar options to their communities for a while, this is the first time every home in the community has the opportunity to go solar.

Courtesy of Pardee Homes
There are many benefits to having a solar sustaining home, including:
  • Reduction of your electric bill as you generate free power.
  • A return on your investment.
  • Protection against rising energy costs, which average a three percent rise annually.
  • Eliminates three-to-four tons of carbon emissions per year. That’s the equivalent of planting more than 100 trees annually.
  • Increases your property value. 

Jimmy Ayala, Division President of Pardee Homes San Diego told Builder Online that “Weston’s all-solar program has been designed in response to both the growing demand from energy-conscious buyers and the State of California’s zero-net energy goals.” 

SunPower systems can provide as much as 80 percent of a home’s electrical needs. Depending on the square footage of their floor plans, homes will have a three-to-five-kilowatt range for their SunPower systems, which is expected to generate up to 8,000-kilowatt hours per year. While a 30 percent federal tax credit and CA property tax exemption is available to buyers who purchase the system, homebuyers at Weston do have the option to lease instead of buy as well. 

Ayala added that “by designing an environmentally-conscious community that adheres to Title 24 regulations to ensure new buildings are energy efficient and preserve environmental quality, we’re simultaneously delivering appealing home options across a variety of buyer segments and price points while achieving an unparalleled level of state-recognized compliance.”

Nearby Santee Lakes / Photo by Qrhoo / CC BY-SA

For this master-planned community, the benefits don’t stop there. Weston is a short jaunt from the 190-acre park Santee Lakes, which has seven recreational lakes for camping, hiking, boating, fishing, as well as special events. The community will also allow access to the surrounding areas, including West Hills Park, which offers gazebos, play equipment, sports fields, and a gateway to Mission Trails Regional Park. There will also be access to other active-use parks and multiple hiking trails. 

Square footage of homes ranges from 1,789 to 3,743 square feet, with prices ranging from the high $500,000s to the $700,000s. Currently, 14 model homes are available for viewing.