A good planet is hard to find
Using the latest in innovative construction methods and some federal stimulus money, one of Glenn County's oldest neighborhoods is getting a little greener by warming up to solar energy.
"I really believe this is the way homes will be built in the future," said project mastermind David Provine, owner of Oak Tree Construction in Corning. Provine also owns the site property.
Solar panels were installed Wednesday to a the roof of a home at 645 Second St. in Willows.
"This is an energy neutral single-family home being
constructed in Willows and financed by 3CORE, who partnered with the Glenn County Human Resource Agency program to provide green construction job training for this unique home," Roger Hart, 3CORE's business assistance manager, said in a statement.
The so-called "Sensible Solar Home Projects" is one of the first of its kind in the nation, Provine said.
The project is unique, Provine said, because the energy-efficient home will cost roughly the same price as a traditional new home.
"Usually these types of homes are very expensive and only available on the higher-end of the market," Provine said. "But this will sell for about $190,000, which I really think is a great deal."
Provine said his company has two other similar projects in various stages of development in Tehama and Butte counties as well.
The 11,068-square-foot home could "easily" reduce the occupants' monthly electric bill to zero, Provine said.
"We're making a lot of straightforward, simple design improvements such as extra insulation and a larger over-hanging roof to reduce energy needs," he said.
Weaving three different funding sources together, the project is paid for using a combination of Community Block Development Grant funds, an economic development loan and some federal stimulus money, according to Scott Gruendl, Glenn County's Human Resource Agency director.
It is not the so-called "welfare-to-work program," Gruendl said.
"That part of the funding comes from the federal Workforce Investment Act," Gruendl said. "There is no CalWorks connection."
The money is being used to fund full-time green construction jobs for two Glenn County residents.
Gruendl said the grant will allow a potential first-time home buyer to afford the energy neutral house.
"And it allows us to cover their down payment for them as well," Gruendl said.
Working on the project was a welcome relief for Orland resident Gerardo Rincon.
"It's great. I'm learning a lot of new construction (skills) every day, and I think it will look good for future job (prospects)," Rincon said.
Rincon had been working for a county business that specialized in weatherizing homes, until the bottom fell out of the house market, he said.
"It's my first time working on building a house," Rincon said. "So I'm just doing whatever they tell me to so I can learn."
The project broke ground in early December and, weather permitting, should be completed by the end of February, Provine said.
Provine said the project is one that "could not have been done even just five years ago."
He said the slumping housing market has driven property values down to a point that actually make solar home construction more cost-effective.
"We really believe this is the future of housing," Provine said. "And I truly believe it's going to be perfect for those first-time home-buyers."
Information
For more information about the solar home project log on to sensiblesolarhome.blogspot.com.
