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Over the next two decades, the San Diego region will have to add an estimated 360,000 housing units to accommodate a growing population. More housing like this new development will slow the resulting growth in demand for new power sources.

It's been estimated that one residential solar electric power system, over the course of its life, will reduce carbon dioxide production by 100,000 pounds (45,000 kilograms) — the environmental benefit equivalent to an additional 347 trees in a rainforest.

The Typical Shea House

Shea Homes San Diego has been building upscale housing developments since 1985. The new neighborhoods, dubbed San Angelo and Tiempo, make up the Scripps Highlands community, about 15 miles north of San Diego. The houses will vary in size from 2500 to 4150 square feet (230 to 385 square meters) and in price from $400,000 to $600,000.

The Shea high-performance house is about 38 percent more energy efficient than required by the strict California Title 24 Guidelines. It includes a 1.2 kilowatt (kW) solar electric power array, which can generate enough electricity to satisfy an estimated 25 to 30 percent of a household's power needs.

The 40-gallon (150-liter) solar water heating system will reduce by about half the amount of natural gas needed to heat domestic water. Not all of the new units in these developments will have this solar equipment because some will lack sufficient roof exposure to the south.

The ComfortWise System

The ComfortWise energy efficiency program, designed by the consulting firm ConSol, makes the houses' construction an energy-smart investment even without the solar equipment. Some key features of this program are:

Engineered HVAC. A carefully engineered duct system considers duct size, bends and turns in ductwork, register locations, duct lengths, connections, and air flows. This creates an efficiency which, along with spectrally selective glass, makes a smaller air conditioner possible. The result is greater comfort for less power.

Tight Ducts. Ductwork is sealed for optimum performance with collar ties and mastic as per ComfortWise protocol. Reduced duct leakage means lower heating and cooling costs plus increased comfort due to better air distribution.

Spectrally Selective Glass. This standard feature reflects the sun's heat in summer and reduces heat loss in winter, thus reducing energy bills. It blocks infrared and ultraviolet sunlight that can damage furnishings, and it lets in nearly all visible sunlight without tint.

This glazing probably goes a long way to compensate for the apparent scarcity in the Shea neighborhoods of external shading devices, which are common in hot climates for protecting windows from the direct sun.

About the Partners

In creating this new development program, Shea Homes has partnered with AstroPower, Inc., ConSol, and Sun Systems. They have also worked closely with the San Diego Regional Energy Office (SDREO).

AstroPower develops, manufactures, and sells photovoltaic solar cells, modules, panels, and systems for generating solar electric power. In the past, its products were used primarily to generate electricity for users not connected to the utility grid.

More recently, they have been adopted by customers on the grid who want a renewable, reliable alternative. AstroPower has been able to bring down costs to consumers by innovations in manufacturing, including recycling silicon wafers that have been scrapped by the large semi-conductor manufacturers.

Energy consultant ConSol works with builders at the local, state, and national levels to improve quality control of energy-related features in new houses. ConSol created the ComfortWise efficiency program, described above, and in 1997 won the Energy Star Homes Ally of the Year award.

Sun Systems is the primary supplier to the residential construction market for solar water heaters, with its CopperSun Integrated Collector Storage (ICS) solar water heating system. The collectors are designed to resemble high-quality skylights to aid in consumer acceptance. Their complete package includes hardware and training for plumbers and roofers.

SDREO is an independent, nonprofit energy organization dedicated to conducting energy policy and planning activities, managing public-interest energy programs, and providing energy information to the region.

Scott Anders, project manager of SDREO, says of the new development: "By combining energy efficiency, solar electric generation, and solar water heating, Shea has raised the bar for other regional and national production builders."

Mark Brock, president of Shea Homes, echoes the sentiment. He hopes the new houses will "serve as a benchmark for fellow builders as well as members of the community."

Shea Homes was a 1998 recipient of the California Governor's Golden State Quality Award. The company has also received honors from the National Association of Home Builders and Professional Builder magazine.

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A typical house in the Tiempo neighborhood now under construction by Shea Homes San Diego. Image: Shea Homes Sample first floor plan for a house in the San Angelo development. Image: Shea Homes Sample second floor plan for a house in San Angelo. Image: Shea Homes Solar panels on a house under construction. Photo: Shea Homes An existing house in the Stonebridge neighborhood demonstrates the quality of construction homeowners can expect in the new Scripps Highlands. Photo: Mike Muckley Photography Existing houses in Woodbridge and other Shea Homes developments exhibit energy efficiency but without the solar panels of the new project. Photo: Mike Muckley Photography The master bedroom of a typical residence built by Shea Homes. Photo: Mike Muckley Photography The living room and dining room of a typical residence built by Shea Homes. Photo: Mike Muckley Photography   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.