Nine communities in Southern California are set to gain solar power systems under a partnership between SunPower Corporation and homebuilder Pardee Homes.

Three communities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties will see 1.4-kilowatt SunPower SunTile solar electric systems fitted as standard to their homes.

There will also be the option to upgrade to a larger 2.4kW system on most homes.

Six communities in San Diego County will offer SunTile systems as an option.

All systems will come with SunPower’s Monitoring System, allowing access to production and consumption details via the web or iPhones.

LA-based Pardee Homes is including the SunPower systems as part of a “LivingSmart” program of efficiency technologies that should see homeowners with 40% lower electric bills.

Savings

“Energy prices have risen dramatically over the years. Pardee Homes recognizes that combining energy-efficient features with high efficiency solar power systems may result in substantial savings for homeowners immediately and over the long term,” said Matt Brost, general manager of SunPower’s New Homes division.

The two companies have been working together since 2005, and Pardee Homes has now installed SunPower systems on more than 4,000 new production homes.

Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing for Pardee Homes, said: “In addition to providing high-efficiency solar power systems with 25-year power output warranties, SunPower has worked with us to provide superior customer education so that prospective homeowners clearly understand the cost-saving, maintenance-free benefits of solar, as well as the tax incentives and rebates that are available.”