Solara: CA's First Solar-powered Apartment Complex

SD in da house!... (solar house that is...) Inhabitat recently noted the new apartment community in Poway called SOLARA that opened earlier this year. SOLARA is part of a "mixed-use" development from Community Housing Works and was also a collaboration with the city of Poway,CA and Global Green USA. This isn't just another "just add water" complex we're so used to seeing around here in So Cal. This is the first project that was delivered under the California Energy Commission's Zero Energy New Homes program. There are 56 fully solar-powered homes, that also feature tons of energy efficient designs, including tankless boilers for hot water, low-flow restrictors, dual flush toilets, and native plant landscaping...

What's also great about this project was that the rent is actually affordable and intended for families that make moderate incomes. One, two and three bedroom apartments were priced between $388- $105 a month, depending on the occupant's income. Read more about SOLARA over at Inhabitat, and check out SOLARA's website. (via Inhabitat)

Comments (4)

good place to start.. now, if they can convince developers to build new subdivisions and gated communities this way....

posted by chris_94131 on December 14th 2007 at 8:30am
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Methinks a correction needs to be made regarding rent prices. Regardless of what affordable housing programs they might have at Solara, that can't be the right amount for San Diego. If it is, then it looks like I'm moving next summer to Poway when my lease is up!

posted by Lorena in SD on December 14th 2007 at 8:38am
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I read somewhere else that the rent ranged from $557 for a one bedroom to $807 for a three bedroom.

posted by sparkle on December 14th 2007 at 9:29am
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I live right next to this apartment complex and had no idea it was being built this way. I'm so proud of my little town! The only downside is that it is, to put it nicely, not very ascetically pleasing. It looks a lot nicer in that photo...

posted by Avia45 on December 15th 2007 at 6:10pm
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