Centex Installs Avignon

Centex Installs Solar Power at Avignon, the First All-Solar, Zero-Energy New Homes Community in Alameda County

PowerLight's Aesthetic, Seamless SunTile Solar Power System Deployed

Centex Homes showcases Avignon's new residential solar installations, planned by ConSol energy consultants, using SunTile from PowerLight Corporation. This new community in Pleasanton, CA, provides a state-of-the-art look at the future of solar energy for homes in the Bay Area. An enclave of distinctive estate-style homes, Avignon features aesthetic SunTiles from PowerLight that generate electricity for each of the homes. SunTiles are remarkable for their ability to generate significant quantities of electricity while blending into almost any roofline and architectural style.

"We are pleased and excited that Centex Homes and PowerLight have chosen the city of Pleasanton to build this 'Zero Net Energy Home' community. Pleasanton has been a leader in green building and community energy for many years, and we welcome this as another example of how cities and business can work together to improve the environment, stimulate economic growth and provide for the needs of the community," said Matt Sullivan, Vice Mayor of the city of Pleasanton.

"We commend Centex's vision in providing solar electric systems as a standard feature on all of their new homes at the Avignon community in Pleasanton. Solar seamlessly powers homes and dramatically reduces a homeowner's electric bills, while producing completely emissions-free energy. Communities like Pleasanton get a great deal of sunshine. Harvesting that resource on the roofs of these homes contributes to California's movement towards energy independence. It's good for the home buyer, good for the environment and good for California. We expect, thanks to California's for- ward looking renewable energy policies, that many will follow Centex's lead, and thousands of solar- powered homes will be constructed in California," noted Howard Wenger, Executive Vice President of PowerLight Corporation.

Reducing energy bills by up to 70 percent each year and the possibility of a federal tax credit of $2,000 are monetary benefits of purchasing a Zero Energy new home. Avignon is the first Zero Energy new home community in Pleasanton by Centex Homes.

By first constructing the most energy efficient homes and then adding state-of- the-art renewable resources, each home in Avignon will be constructed to be 25 percent more energy-efficient than required by the strict California energy codes; have a 70 percent energy savings on the annual electric bill; and draw no more than 1kW from the utility during summer peak time (the hottest time of the day). The California Energy Commission, PowerLight, ConSol and Centex Homes are partnering to commercialize Zero Energy new homes communities.

The homes at Avignon meet the rigid energy efficiency guidelines of the ComfortWise program with mechanically designed heating and air conditioning systems, Andersen 400 Series HP low-e spectrally selective glass windows and tightly sealed air ducts. The homes are then independently inspected for quality and performance of the insulation, caulking and sealing, windows, and heating and cooling ductwork. Inspections and tests are performed by ComfortWise home energy raters who are certified and monitored by either CalCerts or the California Home Energy Efficiency Rating System (CHEERS), both certified by the California Energy Commission.

A 3.5-kW DC photovoltaic integrated roofing system from PowerLight should provide most of the home's electricity. The homes are hooked up to the local utility grid so homeowners can draw electricity when they need it. Any excess electricity produced by the system is sold back to the utility for credit.

Additional energy-saving features at Avignon include:
- R-49 attic insulation with R-30 above garage/cantilever
- R-15 wall insulation \n- Two on demand tank-less water heaters with .82 energy factor
- produces up to 8.5 gallons of hot water per minute, which saves up to 30 percent in energy costs per year while giving homeowners endless supply of hot water.
- 3-ton and 3.5-ton 14 SEER AC with TXV
- .92 AFUE furnace

Dallas-based Centex Homes (www.centexhomes.com) is one of the nation's leading home builders, operating in more than 90 U.S. markets in 25 states. Its brands include Centex Homes, entry-level builder Fox & Jacobs Homes, on-your-lot builder Wayne Homes and resort/second home builder Centex Destination Properties. Centex Homes delivered 33,387 homes in the United States in its most recent fiscal year, ended March 31, 2005. The company is a subsidiary of Centex Corporation (NYSE: CTX), a Fortune 250 company. Centex Corporation (centex.com), founded in Dallas in 1950, is one of the nation's premier companies in home building, financial services, home services and commercial contracting. Centex ranks number one in its industry on Fortune magazine's 2005 list of "America's Most Admired Companies."

ConSol offers energy solutions for production builders. One of the nation's largest, independent residential energy consulting firms, ConSol is committed to assisting the builder improve profits while maintaining the highest level of quality. For more information, visit consol.ws, or call 800-526-6765.

PowerLight Corporation is a leading global provider of grid-connected solar electric power systems. PowerLight's turnkey solutions for commercial, government and residential customers feature a full line of proprietary solar products and technologies designed to optimize energy output and project economics. Recognized by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies, PowerLight designs, builds and operates many of the largest solar electric systems in North America and Europe. For more information about PowerLight and its products and services, please visit powerlight.com

Centex Homes Ground Breaking at Avignon
Pleasanton, CA

"It is wonderful to see the progress of outstanding builders such as Centex Homes in moving toward Zero Energy Homes," said David Rodgers, with the Department of Energy's Building Technologies Program. "Working with the California's Zero Energy New Home Program, these highly energy efficient homes also use solar electricity to reduce annual electricity bills by 70 percent and reduce summer peak demand to one kilowatt per housing unit, down from 3-4 kilowatts per new house. DOE applauds Centex Homes on the Grand Opening of the Avignon community in Pleasanton, CA."

June 2006 Builder Architect Edition Issue

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