Once you are setup, SunPower will take it from there. In 2020, California became the first state to require net zero energy construction on all new homes, including a mandate that all new homes include a rooftop solar component. The SunPower New Homes Department is here to help you understand how this mandate affects new home buyers like you.
The future of solar energy for homes looks promising, with continuous advancements in technology and integration with smart home systems making it more efficient and accessible. New developments in solar panel efficiency are allowing them to generate more power with less space.
A home with solar panels has lower electricity bills than an equivalent home without solar panels. Over the life of the solar system, the savings exceed the higher up-front price of the home. Homebuilders can share information with consumers about financing options and incentives described in the Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar.
SunPower's latest achievement revolves around new home construction, recently topping our 100,000th home with a fresh set of solar panels. What happens once you sign the dotted line?
Adding solar panels to newly constructed homes can increase the sale price, attract new customers, and distinguish a homebuilder and their homes among competitors. A SETO-funded study found that homeowners across the country have been willing to pay a premium for homes with an average-size solar array.
Yes, a well-designed solar power system can run a home 24/7, but it requires battery storage and smart energy management. Since solar panels generate electricity only during the day, a reliable backup solution is necessary for nighttime and cloudy days.
The global residential solar storage and inverter market is experiencing rapid expansion, with demand increasing by over 300% in the past three years. Home energy storage solutions now account for approximately 35% of all new residential solar installations worldwide. North America leads with 38% market share, driven by homeowner energy independence goals and federal tax credits that reduce total system costs by 26-30%. Europe follows with 32% market share, where standardized home storage designs have cut installation timelines by 55% compared to custom solutions. Asia-Pacific represents the fastest-growing region at 45% CAGR, with manufacturing innovations reducing system prices by 18% annually. Emerging markets are adopting residential storage for backup power and energy cost reduction, with typical payback periods of 4-7 years. Modern home installations now feature integrated systems with 10-30kWh capacity at costs below $700/kWh for complete residential energy solutions.
Technological advancements are dramatically improving home solar storage and inverter performance while reducing costs. Next-generation battery management systems maintain optimal performance with 40% less energy loss, extending battery lifespan to 15+ years. Standardized plug-and-play designs have reduced installation costs from $1,200/kW to $650/kW since 2022. Smart integration features now allow home systems to operate as virtual power plants, increasing homeowner savings by 35% through time-of-use optimization and grid services. Safety innovations including multi-stage protection and thermal management systems have reduced insurance premiums by 25% for solar storage installations. New modular designs enable capacity expansion through simple battery additions at just $600/kWh for incremental storage. These innovations have improved ROI significantly, with residential projects typically achieving payback in 5-8 years depending on local electricity rates and incentive programs. Recent pricing trends show standard home systems (5-10kWh) starting at $8,000 and premium systems (15-20kWh) from $12,000, with financing options available for homeowners.