Wayne Suggs, owner of Classic New Mexico Homes in Las Cruces
Positive Energy Solar and Classic New Mexico Homes have a solution to Las Cruces’ hot summer days and soaring electricity bills: a beautiful pueblo-style home equipped with a state-of-the-art photovoltaic array that will harness the sun’s power to keep the home cool and comfortable without high energy costs. The home is one of more than 30 innovative homes featured at this year’s Las Cruces Showcase of Homes, which takes place April 25-27 and May 2-4.
Located at 2350 Calle de Santiago, in the historic district of Mesilla, the 2,400-square-foot pueblo-style home may look traditional, but includes a state-of-the-art, 5.5-kW solar array installed by Positive Energy Solar capable of producing and average of 900 kWh of electricity per month. The system generates more than enough energy to keep the home cool on 100 degree plus days without even a “blip” on the electricity bill. The home also features energy efficient windows, extra insulation, and ceiling fans to keep cool air in and the heat out.
Mark Westbrock, head of Positive Energy Solar’s Las Cruces office, says that more homebuyers are considering solar systems as a way to beat Las Cruces’ legendary heat and finding creative ways to finance them.
“Informed homeowners are discovering that they can invest in a solar electric system for their home instead of paying an electric bill,” he says. “By rolling a solar system into a 30-year mortgage, the energy is hugely discounted, and even with shorter loan terms, it can still be cash flow positive. We encourage home buyers to visit our home in Mesilla to see how livable a solar home—and its low energy costs—really is.”