Green Urbanism
First Fully Solar-Powered Apartment Community in California Opens
Smart-Growth Development Shows that "Green" is for Everyone
Poway, Calif. (June 5, 2007) - SOLARA, the first apartment community in California to be fully powered by the sun, officially opened today. This development represents a breakthrough in integrating solar in multifamily housing and establishes a new standard in sustainable design.
"We designed SOLARA to be totally green from the inside out," said Sue Reynolds, President and CEO of Community HousingWorks, the developer/owner of SOLARA. "The fact that SOLARA is also an affordable housing project proves that 'green' is not just for high-end homes."
Most apartment developments to date that boast of using solar power use it for common area electricity or for pre-heating hot water. But SOLARA's rooftop photovoltaic solar arrays produce enough energy to power the entire residential complex and, on some days, provides surplus electricity to feed the region's power grid. Combined with California's ambitious renewable energy goals and increased funding for solar on affordable housing, the Solara provides a glimpse of the development industry's future.
"Community HousingWorks has helped create a model that affordable housing developments across the country can and should emulate," said Matt Petersen, President of Global Green USA, which promotes policies and programs nationwide that support green affordable housing. "We are thrilled to see our collective vision to make green technology accessible to all come to fruition at the SOLARA."
SOLARA, at 13414 Community Road, is part of a mixed-use development with independent office space and 56 apartment homes. But deriving energy from the sun is just the beginning of SOLARA's green and sustainable design program. The project also features:
• Energy efficient materials and appliances that greatly exceed standards
• Extensive use of water conservation equipment and techniques
• Recycled materials throughout the building and in the public artwork
• Design that promotes healthy indoor air quality
The end result: SOLARA has the lowest carbon footprint of any apartment complex in California, 95 percent lower than a conventionally powered community, avoiding more than 1,800 tons of carbon dioxide each year. That is equivalent to planting 5,446 trees or taking 300 cars off the road annually.
SOLARA is the first project delivered under the California Energy Commission's Zero Energy New Homes program. To help achieve this, Community HousingWorks engaged Global Green which, through a contract with the CEC, provided technical assistance on the solar, energy efficiency and green building design and on the energy tax credits and incentive programs.
"With SOLARA, Community HousingWorks and Global Green USA have done more than provide an exemplary Zero-Energy project," said Jackalyne Pfannenstiel, Chairman of the California Energy Commission. "By using off-the-shelf solar technology, applying energy-efficient building principles and developing a robust financial model, they have helped us refine our incentive programs and promote regulatory changes that will enable other projects like this to be built in California."
SOLARA was also built on smart-growth principles. Located near public transportation, shopping, civic services and recreational venues, the pedestrian-oriented development also includes a 2,100 square foot community center master plan site that includes a 2,100 square feet of independent office space.
Funding for the $16.3 million project comes from Union Bank of California, the City of Poway, the County of San Diego, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and National Equity Fund.
About Community HousingWorks
Community HousingWorks is a San Diego based non-profit organization that provides a full range of housing options, combined with training and support, to help people and neighborhoods move up in the world. CHW has developed and currently operates more than 1,450 affordable apartments throughout San Diego County, and annually serves more than 4,000 individuals, families, and children. Founded in 1982, Community HousingWorks is San Diego County's only member of the national NeighborWorks Network®, and in 2003 became a proud affiliate of the National Council of La Raza.
About Global Green USA
Global Green USA is the American affiliate of Green Cross International, former President Gorbachev's organization dedicated to fostering a global value shift toward a sustainable secure future. For more than a decade, Global Green's LEED-accredited green building staff has spearheaded applying green technology in affordable housing projects throughout California and the nation.
