In the News: Is solar energy the solution to saving? Here’s what you need to know

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In the News: Is solar energy the solution to saving? Here’s what you need to know

Posted: Thursday Jun 15, 2023

News Coverage from News 6 / Click Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nestled in the 27,000-acre Sunbridge development, Weslyn Park is a first-of-its-kind community in Central Florida where every home is built with solar panels or roofs.

The developer behind the Sunbridge neighborhood, Tavistock Development Company, has teamed up with five different builders to install Tesla solar panels and roofs.

“I actually probably save on average, maybe 30% to 40% of my bill,” said Jarrett Brown, the fourth person to buy a home in Weslyn Park in Osceola County.

The cost of the homes at Weslyn Park range from $400,000 to $900,000, according to Rob Adams, senior vice president of Residential Development. Adams said the minimum 4.25-kilowatt solar package is included in the base price of the homes.

“So the buyer, when they come, they don’t see the price. It’s part of the price of the home. The builder pays for that system,” said Adams.

He told News 6 that system costs around $9,500, but there are options to upgrade by adding Tesla’s Power Wall system for back-up power and for use in the evening and other non-power generating times.

A Tesla solar roof is also an upgrade option, but we are told it is more of a niche purchase.

Adams said when buyers move in the first year they can be eligible for tax credits. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, people who get a solar photovoltaic (or PV) system on their home can be eligible for a 30% federal tax credit. The tax credit is only for people who own the solar panels, not for people who lease them.