If you’re looking for a solar home community, in a neighborhood with a distinct personality and a small town feel, then Armory Park del Sol may be just what you’re looking for. Armory Park del Sol is a close-knit community of eco-friendly homes (and people) designed to integrate the architectural flavor of nearby historic Armory Park with the latest energy-efficient green construction techniques.
The Community
Construction of the well planned community commenced in 1999 and was directed by John Wesley Miller, a local green home builder and solar pioneer, who is also a nationally recognized leader in energy conservation and green building practices.
Living Green
Armory Park del Sol is a pilot project of the US Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Homes program. The program’s objective is to encourage the construction of homes that can produce as much energy as they consume. The first Zero Energy home in Armory Park del Sol was built by Mr. Miller’s company in 2003.
All of the homes are built with photovoltaic solar electric panels to capture the abundance of solar energy that we enjoy here in Tucson, and a passive solar water heater that is able to provide approximately half of a family’s water heating needs. The average homeowner at Armory Park del Sol pays a mere $301 annually to heat and cool their home.
The Homes
In addition to being built for extreme energy efficiency, the homes in Armory Park del Sol also incorporate “universal design” in which elements are chosen that are both aesthetic and functional “for the greatest variety of people”. Some of the features include, step-free entryways, extra wide doors, hard surface flooring, roll-in and walk-in showers and lever handles instead of round doorknobs which a person with limited hand strength may find hard to use.
If you are thinking about or have decided to “go green” then Armory Park del Sol – with its award winning builder and proven track record is a “must” see.
