Advice on Solar From a Sun-Belt Builder

Arizona-based high-performance home builder Mandalay Homes installs solar panels in-house, without a mandate. Chief technology officer Geoff Ferrell discusses the future of solar in the industry.

Viewing the home as a system, optimized for the future install of renewable and storage technologies makes it more marketable and valuable to consumers. He explains, "Our average 2,000-square foot home optimized for solar and storage only requires between six and eight solar panels, and a very modest battery storage system to drive the home’s HERS index score very low and offer near-zero electric bills for homeowners," adding that Mandalay offers this type of home as a standard in response to utility programs and rates in their communities, reports SolarPowerWorld.

Says Ferrell, "Every indication is that solar adoption will only continue to grow as prices come down and local incentives promote the use of clean, renewable energy sources. As prices and incentives drive adoption, the social aspects of having a solar array on your home becomes much more attainable too. These are all great things for the environment and the economy too, in our opinion."

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