Don Poloc’s World

Monday, February 18, 2008

Watch video: Bright Ideas at http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/don_polec&id=5919624

Residents here will be able to avoid paying a utility bill for up to 8 months of the year, thanks to Maple Point’s energy-integrated townhouses that utilize a range of efficient designs including rooftop solar panels that provide for virtually all the home’s electrical needs.

Already, 4 of the 3-bedroom-models are available for around 259 thousand dollars and will be part of an eventual 38 unit development that will back onto Fairmount Park in the city’s Northeast section, and will be Philadelphia’s first solar “neighborhood.” Developer Don Bradley also designs-in solar-heated hot water, furnaces that burn soybean oil, and a range of other green technology that will reduce utility costs by up to 80 percent.

Excess solar power created by the house charges a backup battery system that will not only allow residents to use their toaster oven during a total eclipse, but to sell the power back to PECO to further reduce expenses.

You can visit the model home at 751 Maple Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19124 or for more information, contact Dana Brady at 267-757-0726, Lisa Hough at 610-566-3000 or log onto http://www.phillysolarhomes.com/