Solara

Format
Full

City
Poway

State/Province
CA

Country
USA

Metro Area
San Diego

Project Type
Multifamily Rental

Location Type
Outer Suburban

Land Uses
Open space
Parking
Single-Family Rental Housing

Keywords
Affordable housing
Communal open space
Compact design
Green building
Green community
Hidden solar panels
Infill development
Low-maintenance landscaping
Public art
Renewable energy sources
Sustainable development
ULI Awards for Excellence 2008 Winner

Site Size
2.5 acres
acres hectares

Date Started
2004

Date Opened
2007

Located in Poway, California, a suburb of San Diego, Solara provides affordable apartments for low-income residents who earn between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income. Developed by nonprofit Community HousingWorks, the 56-unit complex is powered entirely through a 142-kilowatt photovoltaic system and is the first project recognized under California’s Zero Energy New Homes program. The efficiency of the solar array–Solara exports energy to the grid even at peak demand–allows tenants to pay no utility costs. The 2.5-acre (one-hectare) project includes a number of other sustainable and green building features such as passive solar design, low-maintenance landscaping, and the use of recycled materials throughout the site.

Become a member today to view this case study.

Unlimited access to this robust content is a key benefit of ULI membership. View a “Free Look” case study to see what you are missing, and consider becoming a member to gain unlimited access to ULI Case Studies.

Free Look Learn More about Membership

Case Study/Profile Type: DCS
World Region: North America

Developer/Owner
Community HousingWorks
San Diego, CA

Design Architect
Rodrigues Associates Architects & Planners, Inc.
San Diego, CA

Landscape Architect
Ivy Landscape Architects, Inc.
San Diego, CA

Website
www.chworks.org

ULI Awards for Excellence 2008 Winner