Energy Efficient Homes Coming to Lancaster

KB Homes will build homes in Lancaster that can store solar power using batteries made by a Chinese company, a move that officials said will change how people use electricity. A prototype home in the Alamosa community off of 60th Street West will be completed this spring and four homes will follow as buyers ask for them. Each home will have solar panels, batteries, LED lights, and other energy-related materials made by BYD Corp., a mainland Chinese company with divisions that make batteries and automobiles. Storing electricity generated by the solar panels enables homeowners to cut their energy costs and not rely on utility companies, especially during peak times. “This is the way we can change the world,” said Stella Li, CEO of BYD Electronics, and senior vice president with BYD Corp. Li, Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris and KB Home Executive Vice President Tom DiPrima signed an agreement that will have the city waive development fees for the five homes and work to get Los Angeles County to waive construction fees. The city played matchmaker to bring KB Homes and BYD together and it took only 45 days for the two companies to work out their arrangement. That the deal was completed in such a short period of time did not surprise Parris who in his first term has done much to change the culture at City Hall. He treats his position as that of a chief executive: giving everyone a chance to speak, making and decision and doing it. “I think it will surprise a lot of other people because we’ve gotten to the point where government is seen as an obstacle,” Parris said.