"Summer of Solar" Giveaway Offers Big Benefits to New-Home Buyers of Pardee Homes LA and Ventura County Projects Who Act Soon

    SANTA BARBARA, CA, July 06, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Take lower utility bills, a Federal tax credit and a property tax benefit. Add aesthetically pleasing, roof-integrated design, effortless operation and proven buyer satisfaction ratings. Stir with a stylish new home that already exceeds the nation's toughest energy efficiency building code by at least 15% and what do you get?

"Summer of Solar" from Pardee Homes, which supplies its new home buyers with a free, reliable, emission-free solar power system when they purchase a new home this summer at a Pardee neighborhood in the Los Angeles/Ventura counties area. "This opportunity is unprecedented, and unmatched by other home builders in this region," stated Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing for Pardee Homes.

"Buyers gain a premium, price-included solar package, in a brand new home that already offers superior energy efficiency and the many additional green benefits of our award-winning LivingSmart brand," she said. "They can also apply for a Federal tax credit that equals 30% of the value of this system--plus they are eligible for a California property tax benefit. All of these paybacks await LA/Ventura area buyers who take advantage of this limited time offer."

"Summer of Solar" applies only to new homes starting construction at Cherry Hill in Moorpark Highlands in Moorpark, in Ventura County, California and to Laurel Park and Oak Crest in Fair Oaks Ranch in the Santa Clarita Valley in Los Angeles County. Home sizes range from approximately 1,830 to 3,479 square feet, with pricing from the upper $400,000s to the upper $600,000s. All homes are in Pardee Homes' master-planned communities, which feature recreational amenities, significant open space and proximity to Metrolink, freeways and shopping and services.

"Summer of Solar" features the high-efficiency1.4 kilowatt, roof-integrated system SunTile system, designed and installed by SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ:SPWRA). In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, SunPower's roof-integrated SunTile solar electric system is high-performance, with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty and 25-year power output warranty. Most homes can accept an optional, larger SunPower system, which can enhance cost savings and tax benefits.

Mason said that buyers with solar power in their new home can realize measurable savings on energy bills, particularly during peak summer months, citing SunPower data that shows a 1.4 kW system can offset up to 40% of a new, energy-efficient home's electric bill. She noted that if SunPower's system produces more electricity than a home consumes, the electric meter runs backwards and owners receive credit from their local utility company.

"Solar power helps protect homeowners against rising energy prices, and SunPower's monitoring feature lets homeowners view their energy production and usage data online," said Mason. "The SunTile system is non-polluting, has no moving parts and turns on automatically, generating renewable energy effortlessly.

"This free solar power system underscores a steadfast commitment by Pardee Homes to bring homebuyers greener, more sustainable homes and communities," she added. "Higher energy efficiency inspired our LivingSmart program more than a decade ago, and solar power greatly enhances its energy-savings component."

LivingSmart meets or exceeds local, state and national standards for green home building. It offers more than 30 included and optional green features, materials and systems that boost energy efficiency, save water, improve indoor air quality and encourage material conservation and the use of recycled or sustainable resources in new homes.

"Home shoppers see many claims of energy efficiency when they look at new homes," noted Matt Brost, general manager of SunPower's New Homes Division. "When they come to Pardee Homes' neighborhoods, they find that this company delivers.

"With the SunTile system we're providing to Pardee's 'Summer of Solar' program, buyers will be doing much more than protecting themselves against rising energy prices," Brost added. "Solar power reduces oil and natural gas use by offsetting peak electricity demand, and it's a vital part of our national effort to develop clean, renewable, domestic energy."

Customer satisfaction is a key benefit of SunPower's solar power systems. In a SunPower customer survey conducted last year 98% of the 685 respondents surveyed said they would recommend SunPower's system to friends or family members. As one homeowner put it, "I would not live in a home without solar, it's wonderful."

Mason invites interested home shoppers to visit Laurel Park, Oak Crest and Cherry Hill model centers without delay. "Our sales centers have the information and analytical tools shoppers need to understand the economics of solar power and the value of the 'Summer of Solar' offer for their household," Mason said. "They can also obtain more on SunPower's customer satisfaction surveys, which say it best!"

Pardee Homes offers broker co-op. Brokers must accompany prospective buyers on the initial visit to a Pardee Homes neighborhood.

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. Call 805-530-1508 for Cherry Hill; to reach Moorpark Highlands take the 118 Freeway to Los Angeles Avenue; exit and head west into Moorpark. Turn right on Spring Road and continue past Charles Street, following signs.

Call Laurel Park at 661-299-5409; call Oak Crest at 661-252-2394. To reach Fair Oaks Ranch, take the 5 Freeway to the 14 Freeway North and exit at Via Princessa; turn right to enter Fair Oaks Ranch. Turn left at Lost Canyon Road and follow signs.

Prospective home buyers can also begin by contacting online sales counselors with Pardee Homes, which provides this interactive buying guide service as part of its BuyingSmart program.

Established in 1921, Pardee Homes is recognized for superior master-planning concepts, quality homes, responsive customer service and dedication to the educational and civic goals of the communities in which it builds. Particularly noted for leadership in green home building and sustainable development, Pardee was named 2010 Green Building Corporate Advocate by the National Association of Home Builders.

Founded in 1985, 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. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Website: http://www.pardeehomes.com

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