The largest planned net-zero energy development in the U.S. is readying for its debut this fall.

Under construction on the campus of the University of California, Davis, UC Davis West Village is combining advanced energy-efficient design features with a 4-megawatt, high-efficiency SunPower solar power system to achieve the largest planned net-zero energy development in the nation. “Net-zero energy” means that the community will put back into the electrical grid, annually, as much electricity as it consumes.

UC Davis West Village is the product of an innovative public-private partnership between UC Davis and West Village Community Partnership LLC, a joint venture led by San Francisco-based Carmel Partners with their partner Urban Villages of Denver.

California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with the development team as well as public and industry officials, toured the energy-efficient apartments, which will be occupied in September.

“I applaud UC Davis, SunPower Corporation, Carmel Partners and the California Energy Commission for their collaboration, dedication and leadership in

developing the largest net-zero energy project in the United States,” said Newsom. “This is a demonstration of California’s excellence in sustainability, and should set an example for the rest of the nation.”

“West Village is a paradigm shift in creating both a great place to live and a model net-zero energy community,” said Nolan Zail, senior vice president for Carmel Partners. “Our guiding principles include environmental sustainability and quality of place. West Village will include housing, recreation and retail options, providing a convenient and eco-friendly lifestyle for students, faculty and staff.

“Using aggressive energy-efficiency measures and on-site renewable energy generation to meet community energy demand, this holistic approach offers new solutions in the design and construction of large-scale sustainable communities,” Zail added.

The first phase of the 130-acre project, to be completed this year, will include apartment housing for 2,000 students, an education center for Los Rios Community College, recreation and study facilities and a village square surrounded by neighborhood-serving retail. Two initial student housing components of the community, The Ramble Apartments and Viridian, will welcome residents in less than four months. In the next phase, 343 single family homes will be built for sale to faculty and staff.

UC Davis West Village integrates sustainable design to enable those living in the community to reduce their reliance on automobiles, limit energy consumption and enjoy the benefits of the local climate. Building designs optimize solar orientation, utilize energy efficient appliances and incorporate materials from renewable sources.

A 4-megawatt (MW) solar power system that is manufactured, designed and installed by SunPower Corp. will generate the equivalent of 100 percent of the community’s electricity demand. The system is comprised of both rooftop solar power installations and solar canopies over parking areas.

“The guaranteed performance of high efficiency SunPower technology, which generates more electricity per square meter than any other photovoltaic product on the market, will reliably deliver enough clean, emission-free power to ensure West Village achieves its net-zero energy goals,” said Jim Pape, president of SunPower’s residential and commercial business group. “We applaud the aspirations of this unique community, and are confident it will serve as a model for similar developments around the world.”

According to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the SunPower system will produce enough power to avoid more than 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, equivalent to removing 9,000 cars from California roads over the 25-year life of the system.

In addition to the SunPower system, UC Davis West Village integrates energy conservation elements to reduce energy use that exceeds current building standards by fifty percent. Every apartment building is built with energy-conserving components including solar reflective roof materials, radiant barrier roof sheathing, high-efficiency light fixtures, exterior walls with added insulation, and high efficiency air conditioning systems and appliances. Onsite water retention is maximized and materials from renewable sources are incorporated. Architectural elements such as roof overhangs and extensive use of sunshades over windows are designed to mitigate the specific solar exposure of each building.

Increased efficiencies will also be achieved by providing UC Davis West Village residents with tools to enhance control of their own energy use, including programmable energy-management systems and SunPower monitoring, which provides information on solar-system power generation and electricity usage.

In addition to SunPower, energy experts from PG&E, Chevron Energy Solutions and Davis Energy Group have played roles in the planning and feasibility studies on this project. The project also draws on the nationally recognized expertise of UC Davis, particularly from their research centers, including the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center, Energy Institute, Center for Water-Energy Efficiency, Western Cooling Efficiency Center, California Lighting Technology Center and the Biogas Energy Project.

UC Davis West Village’s Phase I components include:

• The Ramble Apartments. Two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments for students are configured in ten distinct courtyards positioned along a central winding pathway.
• Viridian. One- and two-bedroom apartments overlook the village square and retail space.
• The Center. An adjacent 15,000 sq. ft. recreation and amenities facility provides a fitness center; conference and study areas; game and theater rooms; recreational pool, lap pool and spa.
• Retail space. West Village has 42,500 sq. ft. of commercial space for neighborhood-serving retail and university offices surrounding the village square.
• Community college. This new facility opening January 2012 will house the Sacramento City College Davis Center of the Los Rios Community College District -- the first community college center ever built on a University of California campus.
• Single-family homes. 343 for-sale homes will aid in recruiting and retaining faculty and staff. Homes planned for purchase in 2012.

Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi said UC Davis West Village demonstrated the university’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and clean energy solutions.

“The West Village project is a prime example of how our campus researchers are working with industry and government on real-time, real-world solutions to California’s environmental problems,” she added.