In celebration of Earth Month, Meritage Homes is including a high-efficiency solar power system from SunPower Corp. at no additional cost with the purchase of a to-be-built home in select Meritage California communities. The offer is available for a limited time starting now and extending through midnight (PDT) April 30, 2014.

This promotion launches a nationwide joint offering announced by Meritage and SunPower in February to provide leading comprehensive energy efficiency and solar power solutions to all Meritage homebuyers throughout the U.S. It reinforces Meritage's commitment to make every home it builds solar-ready, with the ability to achieve zero net energy consumption.

"Meritage Homes is setting new standards of excellence for energy-efficient homes, and the addition of well-designed, cost-effective solar power systems helps achieve even greater energy cost savings while enhancing the quality of life for our customers," said Steven J. Hilton, chairman and chief executive officer of Meritage Homes. "By partnering with SunPower, we can provide homebuyers the most reliable and efficient solar technology available, enabling customers to create value the moment they take ownership of their new Meritage home."

"Increasingly, homebuyers understand the return on investment that a high quality, energy efficient, solar-powered new home delivers," said SunPower CEO Tom Werner. "We're very proud to partner with Meritage Homes, and to participate in this extraordinary offer to California homebuyers."

Meritage Homes announced that it will include a 1.4 kW SunPower solar power system, which uses the most efficient solar panels available today, for no additional cost with the purchase of a to-be-built home in select Meritage California communities. Homebuyers will have the option of upgrading the size of their system at an additional cost and may also include online monitoring, which allows homeowners to understand how much power their solar system is generating and better control energy use. SunPower will also work with Meritage Homes sales personnel and Meritage homebuyers to provide training and education on the benefits of their solar power systems.

"Meritage offers a comprehensive system of advanced features include LED lighting and home energy monitoring and control, and triple-certification by the EPA for meeting ENERGY STAR, Indoor airPLUS and WaterSense standards," concluded Hilton. "We believe the addition of SunPower solar power systems will make the best homes even better."

A Meritage's house plan located in California. (Photo Credit: Meritage Homes)