Solar Powered Homes
Why Solar?
Beginning in 2024, we have included solar panels in our houses standard feature to help people reduce their monthly payments and power their homes with clean, renewable energy. In Idaho, we include 10 panels (4.1 kW per hour), and in Washington we provide a system designed to produce 3,600 kW of energy annually, which is usually 7-9 panels. And the big bonus is the $4,000 federal tax credit our buyers receive!
We feel that including solar panels is the best way to provide immediate and long-term value to our home buyers.
Benefits to You the Homeowner
Tax Credit
The largest and most immediate benefit of purchasing a house with solar panels is the federal tax credit. In the next tax filing year you will receive a dollar for dollar tax credit over $4,000! And for our Idaho home buyers, you can also claim a state tax deduction spread over four years saving you over $800 in state taxes. Talk about a house-warming gift!
Utility Savings
While we don't design the solar panels to fully offset your electric bill, you will see a substantial reduction to your monthly utility bill. Our Idaho customers benefit from approximately $800 in annual savings, and our Washington customers' savings are a little less than that. And as utility rates rise each year, your savings will only grow!
As you consider the costs of home ownership and your overall monthly payments, it's nice to have a reduction in your monthly budget. To get an equivalent reduction in payment for your mortgage, you'd have to pay down over $10,000 of principal or buy down your interest rate, which is very expensive and possibly temporary. And, of course, there are no federal tax credits from either of these two options!
Long-Term Value
These solar panels are included in the price of your home, and they are fully paid for. You won't have any payments to make or lease to assume. So, when you decide to sell your house, your solar system will be unencumbered.
Your home's value is enhanced by these solar panels, and you will be able to command a higher selling price when you ultimately decide to sell your house. The solar package is not leased and is fully paid for, so there is no payment obligation, just savings! And the savings grow each year as the utility rates increase.
We've partnered with reputable and experienced solar companies to install a quality product. With a 25-year, fully transferable manufacturer's warranty, these panels will last decades, if not generations. The panels are very resistant to weather, including hail. Unless you live on a golf course, you shouldn't have any damage to your solar panels. And you don't need to clean or maintain the panels either. Just relax and enjoy the savings.
Renewable Energy
Another benefit to solar panels is the peace of mind from powering your home with clean, renewable energy. This can benefit the environment and relieve the strain on our grid. You have the option to add panels fin the future, or even add batteries to become fully energy independent, even when the power goes out!
Certified
In addition to being Energy Star certified, our houses also meet the requirements for the Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Home certification. This program builds upon Energy Star and requires us to build an even more energy-efficient house that is ready for renewable energy. Although our houses aren't just ready for solar, they include solar.