Clarum Builds Nation's Largest Solar Energy Affordable Apartment Comm

    Business Editors

    PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 2005--Clarum Homes has just completed the construction of the Vista Montana apartment community in Watsonville, California which houses the nation's largest building integrated solar electric system ever installed in an apartment community. GE Energy supplied the 60-kilowatt system for the complex, making it possible for this community to produce over 90 megawatt hours of electricity annually.
    GE's roof-integrated system replaces the flat cement roof tiles and blends seamlessly with the roofline. The integrated system provides a unique combination of functionality and attractiveness, adding value to the community and its residents.
    In addition to the substantial solar electric system, the Vista Montana apartment community was designed with the goal of including as many other energy efficient and renewable building features as possible, without sacrificing the comfort of its residents. As part of the Department of Energy's Building America program, Vista Montana was also one of Building America's first near Zero Energy Homes communities.
    ConSol, Clarum's energy consultant and one of Building America's team leaders, used a systems engineering approach to produce homes on a community scale that used 40% less energy. The homes were engineered to minimize each home's energy loads through ConSol's ComfortWise(R) program so that most of the electrical needs could be met by the solar system. The ComfortWise(R) program includes the installation of tightly sealed duct work, a high-efficiency heating and ventilation system, smart glass (low-e windows), and third party testing and certification.
    Hydronic heating units were used to achieve energy efficiency through the combined function of heating both the water and the living space. Over 60 percent of the framing on this project was done with engineered lumber, and recycled-content decking was used for all patios and balconies.
    The Vista Montana Apartments community brings much-needed affordable housing to Watsonville with its 132 apartment homes, many of which were designed for larger families. The community is located at the intersection of East Lake Blvd. and Wagner Avenue, adjacent to the City of Watsonville's new 14-acre John Martin Franich Park and the Ann Soldo Elementary School.
    Financed with California Statewide Communities Development Authority tax exempt bonds, federal and state tax credits and City of Watsonville HOME Program funds, the community offers apartments to residents earning incomes at 50%-60% of Santa Cruz County area median income levels. The Vista Montana Apartment community includes a community center, state-of-the-art fitness center and a computer learning center for resident use and after-school programs.
    "With skyrocketing energy costs and continued concerns over energy shortages, Clarum's entire company focus is to combine renewable building practices and alternative energy solutions with affordable and entry-level housing," said John Suppes, Vice President of Clarum Homes. "Not only do renewable building practices and energy efficient systems make sense for the environment, but they also provide a more comfortable and healthier environment to live in."
    "The improved aesthetics and ease of installation offered by our roof integrated solar tiles gives Clarum the architectural freedom to incorporate solar energy into each and every home and apartment building," said Ali Iz, General Manager GE Energy - Solar Technologies.
    "Clarum's efforts validate that production home builders can successfully build energy efficient, attractive and affordable housing without sacrificing quality or aesthetics," Rob Hammon, Ph.D., ConSol principal.

    About Clarum Homes

    Founded in 1994, and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Clarum Homes is a family-owned development company devoted to building exceptional new home communities and apartments in California. Over the last several years Clarum has become California's leader in renewable building through its involvement in building zero energy homes under the U.S. Department of Energy's Zero Energy Home initiative, and through its participation in the Building Industry Institute's California Green Builder Program. Clarum has incorporated a strong commitment to the environment into all of its design and building practices. Currently, Clarum is under construction on the nation's largest 100% zero-energy-home community, and is recognized as an industry pioneer for installing innovative energy efficiency systems and sustainable building products. In 2005, Clarum has plans to start construction on at least seven new zero energy home communities in locations throughout California in Watsonville, San Leandro, Menlo Park, Danville, Borrego Springs, Blythe and Desert Hot Springs. For more information please visit www.clarum.com.

    About GE Energy

    GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2004 revenues of $17.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.
    GE Energy's current range of solar energy products includes solar cells, modules and pre-packaged systems. The modules range from 35 to 165 watts, while system designs can range from hundreds of watts to megawatts and can be used in either on-grid or off-grid applications. GE Energy's solar equipment is manufactured at its Newark, Delaware facility.

    About ConSol

    ConSol is a leading developer of energy efficiency design in new home construction. ConSol offers a full suite of services, including engineering design, energy code compliance, its turn-key ComfortWise(R), and energy consulting. It works with various entities including the Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, and The Building Industry Institute to further the cause of energy efficiency and green building as well as improved buyer comfort. ConSol provides builders of single-family homes, apartments and condominiums custom-tailored strategic insights and direction based on years of experience.

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CONTACT: GE Energy Dennis Murphy, 678-844-6948 dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com or Clarum Homes John Suppes, 650-322-7069 x22 john@clarum.com or Nicole Gittleson, 650-322-7069 x24 nicole@clarum.com or Vista Montana Apartments Laura Alvarado, 831-763-9486 vistamontana@clarum.com or ConSol Rob Hammon, Ph.D., 209-473-5000 rhammon@consol.ws

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA GEORGIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: REAL ESTATE BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION ENERGY UTILITIES PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: GE Energy

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