Going solar for seniors

As part of its push to build senior-living communities loaded with energy-efficient amenities, housing developer Del Webb will be building all-solar housing developments targeted at the 55+ demographic at two new communities in the Phoenix metro area. Combined, these two Del Webb communities, Sun City Festival in Buckeye and Sun City Anthem at Merrill Ranch in Florence, are planned for approximately 11,200 new homes. The company says the communities will be the largest in Arizona and among the largest in the nation to offer solar as standard to homebuyers.

The new homes will include a 1.8 kW roof-integrated solar-electric power system by SunPower Corp. The homes will also offer CFLs, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems (14 SEER HVAC), CFLs, enhanced attic insulation, tankless water heaters and low water use toilets and fixtures. Del Webb is building solar into other senior living communities in Arizona, California and New Jersey. Details