Photo: NREL.I have no idea if this is actually the nation’s largest solar home community. I do know, however, that it’s good news:

Homebuilder, Lennar today announced a partnership with PowerLight Corporation and Roseville Electric to build the nation’s largest solar community. The Sacramento division of the national builder, Lennar, operates locally as Renaissance Homes and Winncrest Homes and will integrate photovoltaic systems and upgraded energy efficiency measures into 450 new homes slated to be built in Roseville over the next two years.

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When municipal utilites, homebuilders, and solar installers team up and cooperate, efficiencies and cost savings can be maximized. Solar installations are cheaper when installed at the time of contruction. Houses can be oriented to maximize production. And the distribution system can be sized appropriately, with additional potential savings.

How did this happen? Back in November, the city passed a requirement making it so.

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Leadership on clean energy is at the local level.