Affordable Solar Panels

Affordable Solar Panels

Good news. For those of you who  have been considering investing in solar power, now may be the time to do it. According to an article yesterday in the New York Times, solar panel prices have dropped nearly 40% since this time last year. Experts are predicting that prices will continue to fall (though not by another 40%). The new lower prices combined with the 30% federal tax rebate is making it pretty tempting to make the switch to solar power. We have a flat roof planned for our new home and Brad and I have been seriously looking into installing solar panels. My only concern is whether or not it will void the warranty our roofer is providing. If it doesn’t and if the solar panels fit within our budget, we’ll definitely go for it. Another option would be to create a canopy over the back deck out of the panels similar to the photovoltaic system used by Living Homes. Aside from providing shade and supplying up to 75% of the homes power needs, it looks freakin’ awesome.

Modern Homes in Daybreak

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modern home

I was catching up on some reading yesterday over at GRM and I about fell over when I heard the news: modern homes in Daybreak! What?? Brad and I were living out in Utah when the Daybreak development began. It’s a huge (and I mean HUGE) master planned community. (Capree hit the nail on the head when she compared it to Pleasantville.) I’m shocked that they are breaking out of their perfect image and building modern homes. Even more shocking is the price: they start at a $206,900! I remember when Daybreak began thinking that the homes were outrageously expensive for the size and “way out there” location. If you don’t mind the location, I think it’s definitely worth checking out. Keep in mind though that it is still a suburban development so there are probably only a handful of models to choose from (ie. every third house is likely to look the same).


Modern Home Remodel

Okay. Let’s just call last week what it was: a major wash. At least as far as blogging goes anyway. Last week was crazy! Late nights working on house plan changes, meeting after meeting, and call after call. We’ve been scrambling to try and get our plans and bids submitted in time to close. Oh and we had to ditch work on my birthday to go surfing (so worth it). So, yeah, sorry about that. I’ll do better. I promise.

Here’s another “average house turned modern home” remodel. This one is 125 Wildgrove by W2 Studios.

More pics after the jump.

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