Shea Homes, one of the largest housing builders in the United States is making energy efficiency affordable by including solar-power systems in homes. Typically, solar-power systems are add-ons to new houses, but Shea is adding solar energy resources as a standard feature in their houses, teaming up with BP Solar.

All of Shea’s Trilogy Active Lifestyle Communities will have homes installed with BP’s solar tiles that generate electricity for each house. The EnergyTile and Integra system is designed for would-be flat, asphalt or shingle roofs and tiles are shaped to mimic the style and structure of a typical flat, concrete roof.

These communities are Shea-built neighborhoods with houses that incorporate energy efficiency with such features as dual-pane windows, saving homeowners on energy consumption and thus money, as well as cutting their home’s carbon footprint. Other standard features include attic fans operated by solar power, Energy Star-certified home appliances, insulation made from recycled products like cellulose, sustainably harvested woods, measures that reduce the amount of infrastructure needed per home, insulated window and doors seals, weather-controlled landscape irrigation and motion sensors for lighting.