BuiltSmart Resources was the first home builder to achieve Build San Antonio Green's Level 3 Solar Home certification with the completion of the Curtis & Laura Trial residence in December 2010. BuiltSmart Resources followed this achievement with the construction of its new Show Home and Resource Center. BuiltSmart earned Net Zero Green Home status for the Resource Center by researching the best way to build a home that would save money in the future by controlling energy costs, being environmentally responsible and providing homeowners a healthy living environment.
MSA Architecture of San Antonio designed the Resource Center in a Contemporary Hill Country style that features an open floor plan. Lori Caldwell, award-winning Interior Designer, also collaborated on the project. The BuiltSmart Resource Center will feature an 11.28 kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system utilizing Schott Solar's panels and a 30,000-gallon rainwater catchment system for all domestic and landscape use.
"We are committed to making San Antonio a leader in solar and renewable energy and are proud that San Antonio is home to one of the most energy efficient homes in Texas," said San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro. "Companies like BuiltSmart Resources and Schott Solar are helping us build a strong clean energy economy in our city and creating good local jobs. We are also pleased to have Build San Antonio Green, the local residential green building program, which developed the criteria for the Level 3 Solar Home and certified this home as green-built."
"Through remodeling or new home construction, today's homeowners have the ability to make a large impact on their future energy costs," said Mike Scott, owner of BuiltSmart Resources. "Our partnership with Schott Solar was underscored not only by high quality solar panels but their responsive to the needs of our project."
Schott Solar, whose flagship manufacturing facility opened on the south side of Albuquerque, N.M. in 2009, employs more than 300 workers and is a leader in U.S. solar manufacturing.
"Schott Solar sees tremendous potential for our proven, high-quality modules in Texas," said Tom Hecht, president and chief sales officer of Schott Solar PV, Inc. "We are fortunate to have BuiltSmart Resources as a partner and to work with them to give San Antonio homeowners the opportunity to own a green home and save money. We're also proud that our efforts are creating jobs along the solar value chain in Texas and throughout the Southwest."
The system was installed by BuiltSmart Resources, a San Antonio-based source for education and implementation of sustainable building materials and practices.
The event was also attended by Cris Eugster, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer of CPS Energy; Bexar County Precinct 3 Commissioner Kevin Wolff; Michael Luzier, president of the NAHB Research Center; and Jack Uptmore, president of the Greater San Antonio Builders Association.
