May 19th, 2011

Developers in California previewed today what they say will be the largest “Zero Net Energy development of its kind in the U.S.,” showing off the first phase of a 130-acre community at the University of California at Davis.

The project will be home to apartments for more than 2,000 students, an education center, recreation and study facilities, as well as 343 homes to be sold to faculty and staff, and a scenic village square. A complex solar energy system created by SunPower, Inc., will supply all of the community’s electricity, allowing West Village to meet its zero-impact goal.

“This is a demonstration of California’s excellence in sustainability, and should set an example for the rest of the nation,” said Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, who toured the complex, called West Village. He was accompanied by UC Davis Chancellor Linda P. B. Katehi, Jim Pape, president of SunPower, and Nolan Zail, vice president of lead developer Carmel Partners.

[Read more →]