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SOLAR-EQUIPPED HOMES REDEFINING ‘GREEN ENERGY FUTURE’ FOR COMMUNITIES January 23, 2015 The future of solar shines brighter, not with on-grind electricity, but partyly in the rooftop of homes, including for the low-cost builds. Imperial Homes Corporation (IHC) is trailblaizing that path as it unveiled its initial 1,000 solar-powered home developments in Santo Tomas, Batangas-which is aptly branded as “Via Verde” homes. In a statement to the media, IHC said it had taken “a stepahead and earmarks P600,000 of assets for the project.” So far, this is considerably the first venture of its kind in the country as other solar developers are focusing on the more affluent homes and commercial establishments. The Via Verde solar homes are being developed in a 3.0 hectare property; and shall be built as combination of row houses and two-bedroom townhouses. IHC has explained that “the 500-watts solar panels are installed in every unit for free to allow buyers to enjoy lower electricity rate through the lease-back program of Enfinity,” the company’s elected belgian solar firm partner in the venture. According to IHC chairman Emma Imperial, “the project aims to alleviate the country’s backlog on mass housing currently pegged at three million.” The other end of the “solar bargain” as home fixtures is anchored on “providing a greener solution against the worsening effects of climate change.” “Solar energy is ideal for communities because it is clean, renewable and sustainable, and thus helps protect the environment where families can comfortable live in and children can safely grow in,” Imperial stressed. She expounded that despite lingering concerns of some on the cost of the technology, it remains an ideal solution for communities, especially if there are developers who are willing to shell out added investments for the propounded solar installations. The IHC-Enfinity venture has also cornered support from from United Kingdom-registered CBL Group in the provision of green panels for pre-fab and modular housing. The design and architecture for the Via Verde solar homes had been placed in the hands of C.C Buencamino Architect, a Florida-registered firm which was said to have mastered lght commercial and residential design-builds. -Manila Bulletin |
