1.9 Kilowatt SunPower Solar Electric Systems Included as Standard Feature SANTA ROSA, Calif., July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Homebuilder Hugh Futrell Corporation and SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR) , a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today announced the opening of Bridge Trail at The North Village, Sonoma County's first solar-electric new home community. Each of the 43 homes at Bridge Trail features a 1.9 kilowatt SunPower rooftop solar panel system, which is expected to save homeowners 50 percent to 75 percent on their monthly electric bills. Additionally, the solar electric power systems qualify homebuyers for a one-time federal tax credit of up to $2,000. Over 30 years, each Bridge Trail home will offset the production of 39,500 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to planting 30 acres of trees or not driving 49,000 miles on California's highways. "Solar power is good for the environment and our communities. It's reliable and produces no greenhouse gases or noise," said Hugh Futrell, president of Hugh Futrell Corporation. "Including solar power in these new homes is the right thing to do for the environment, and we are pleased to offer solar as a standard feature to the new homebuyers in Sonoma County with our Bridge Trail new home community." "The Hugh Futrell Corporation has chosen the most efficient solar technology in the world to power these homes," said Bill Kelly, general manager of the New Homes Division at SunPower. "As a result, Bridge Trail homeowners will achieve significant savings on their utility bills while generating their own clean, renewable power." Homes in the Bridge Trail community are also equipped with natural-gas-powered tankless hot water heaters that will save up to 50 percent of the energy normally required to heat the same amount of water with a storage tank water heater. Bridge Trail offers outdoor amenities such as 11 acres of adjacent private open space and trails, a planned new two-acre public park and very close proximity to soccer and softball fields at the new Jack London Elementary and Piner Olivet Charter Middle School. In addition, Bridge Trail homeowners will be able to take advantage of a private 4,000-square-foot community center, which will work with neighborhood schools and Santa Rosa's Parks and Recreation Department to provide unique learning and recreational programs for North Village residents.
