About the Program
If you’re a homebuilder or general contractor with a new house or residential development under construction, then the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) is your ticket to solar incentives.
The NSHP program — part of the statewide California Solar Initiative — provides financial incentives and other support for installing eligible solar generating systems on new residential buildings: single family, income-eligible and multi-family housing.
The goal of the NSHP — which is intended to encourage the construction of new, energy-efficient solar homes — is to place 400 MW of solar on 50 percent of new homes by the end of 2016.
Why You Should Build with Solar
When you integrate solar energy systems into new homes as a standard feature for buyers, you demonstrate your commitment to protecting the environment while also providing buyers with an opportunity to wisely manage their energy use.
In fact, homes from builders participating in the New Solar Homes Partnership are at least 15 percent more efficient than current building standards … that's good news to homebuyers who want to reduce their utility bills and carbon footprint.
Did You Know?
The California Energy Commission recently commissioned a study* of the California housing market to gauge both buyer knowledge and demand for roof-top solar electric systems in new homes throughout the state.
That survey found:
- 91 percent of Californians view a home’s energy efficiency was an important factor when considering the purchase of a new home.
- 70 percent said the cost of the monthly electric bill was an important factor in their decision to buy a new home.
- 78 percent of California homebuyers perceive a homebuilder who builds homes with solar electric systems as a green builder who cares about the environment.
- 67 percent equate a homebuilder who offers solar electric power as one who offers high-quality construction throughout the home.
- 71 percent believe that eventually all newly built homes in California will have solar electric systems.
* The NSHP market research was conducted by an independent contractor from March to May 2007.
