-Becomes first national green home builder to include free solar

electric systems-



    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 6 /EMWNews/ -- Trilogy(TM) by Shea Homes,

the first builder to roll out a national solar offering, has chosen to work

with BP Solar, a global leader in solar energy. Trilogy will offer free

solar power systems on new homes as part of its ongoing commitment to

reducing the carbon footprint of homes in all of its Shea Homes Active

Lifestyle(TM) Communities across four states.



    



    The BP Solar Home Solutions(R) systems are estimated to reduce the

homes' electric bills by up to 60% per home, in addition to the

approximately 30% energy usage reduction Trilogy homes already achieve with

the Shea Green Certified(TM) standards for home building. Each home will be

equipped with a 3-kilowatt solar power system, which helps provide security

against electric rate increases, allowing consumers to hedge their future

risks in the volatile energy markets



    "With the addition of solar in a home, we're no longer just efficient

users of electricity, we become producers. Integrating a solar system into

a home during construction is less expensive than adding it later, making

solar more accessible and affordable than it's ever been," said Rick

Andreen, president of Shea Homes' Active Lifestyle Communities. "Trilogy

homes pass the true test of a 'green' home by integrating a mix of

energy-saving and energy-generating devices that deliver immediate and

long-term benefits for our customer."



    Solar systems will be free through August 31st to new homebuyers in

Trilogy communities in Arizona, California, Florida and Washington. After

August 31st the systems will be available as an upgrade option. Homeowners

will be able to track how much power their system is producing, along with

its environmental benefits, via a Web-based remote monitoring system.







    "Creative business partnerships are helping to transform the American

residential marketplace with homes that combine energy efficiency with

solar power," said DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy Alexander A. Karsner. "These homes will help transform the

built environment into healthier, more prosperous and sustainable

communities that reduce our carbon footprint, enhance our energy security

and contribute to the fabric of a cleaner, more efficient America."



    To maintain a consistent and visually appealing look for its high-end

resort communities, Trilogy chose BP Solar's EnergyTile and Integra(R)

systems. The EnergyTile roof-integrated solar electric system emulates the

shape of common flat concrete tile roofs, making it one of the industry's

most aesthetically pleasing solutions for tile roof applications. The

Integra system offers a low-profile installation, enhancing the look on

asphalt shingle roofs.



    "We're proud to be Trilogy's exclusive solar provider as they become

the first national residential builder to introduce solar across all of

their communities," said Mary Shields, global vice president of marketing

for BP Solar. "We are pleased to see that home builders around the country

increasingly see the value that solar brings to their homes as well as to

their homebuyers."



    BP Solar's installation partners for the Trilogy communities have long

experience in the roofing and solar fields and are trained by BP Solar on

the proper system design and installation processes. Installers working on

Trilogy homes include:



    -- American Solar Electric, Inc. (http://www.americanpv.com/) in

Arizona



    -- OCR Solar & Roofing, Inc. (http://www.ocrsolarandroofing.com/) in

California



    -- Puget Sound Solar LLC (http://www.pugetsoundsolar.com/) in

Washington



    -- SunWorks Solar Systems, Inc. (http://sunworkssolar.com/) in Florida



    Shea Green Certified homes are built with a combination of the most

important and cost-effective standards for green residential building set

by LEED, National Association of Home Builders, and Environments for

Living(R).



    In addition to solar power systems, standard features in Trilogy's

green homes include solar attic fans, blown-in insulation from recycled

cellulose, wood from sustainable forests, framing techniques that use up to

10% less wood and save 5.5 trees per home, leak minimizing construction via

sealed ducts and penetrations, satellite/weather-controlled irrigation

systems, Energy Star-rated efficient appliances, dual pane low-e windows

and motion and occupancy sensor lighting.



    Additional details of the Trilogy BP Solar promotion are available at

http://www.sheasuperiology.com/trilogy/ for details on the Trilogy BP Solar

promotion.

    About Trilogy by Shea Homes Active Lifestyle Communities



    Trilogy communities are high-end resort communities offering a new

choice in living to those looking for an exciting lifestyle that revolves

around wellness, exploration, continued learning, and close personal

connections. Architectural product design and amenities reflect the

changing needs of the baby boom generation, including business services,

world-class clubs and a diverse range of recreation options. More

information is available by visiting http://www.TrilogyLife.com or calling

(800) 685-6494.



    About Shea Homes



    For more than 125 years, members of the Shea family and their companies

have accomplished many extraordinary milestones including work on the

foundation of the landmark Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay Area's

Rapid Transit System (BART) and managing the construction of the Hoover

Dam. In addition to being privately held, the J.F. Shea Company has

maintained an investment grade rating since 2004. Shea Homes introduced its

Trilogy brand to the market in 1999 as the centerpiece of its Active

Lifestyle Communities division. Today, Trilogy has become the quickest

growth area of Shea Homes' business with nine active lifestyle communities

currently open and plans for more to open in the coming years, including

the just recently opened Shea Homes at Victoria Gardens in Deland, Florida,

near Orlando. For more information visit http://www.sheahomes.com or

http://www.TrilogyLife.com.







    BP Solar



    BP Solar, part of BP Alternative Energy, is a global company with over

2300 employees. BP Solar designs, manufactures and markets products which

use the sun's energy to generate electricity for a wide range of

applications in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With

over 30 years of experience and installations in more than 160 countries,

BP Solar is one of the world's leading solar companies having 228MW annual

manufacturing capacity in 2007, plus another 700MW capacity under

construction. BP Solar has solar cell and module manufacturing plants in

Sydney, Australia; Bangalore, India; Madrid, Spain; and Frederick, MD, USA;

and module manufacturing in Xi'an, China. In Frederick it also has casting

and wafering facilities. BP Solar invests more than $10m annually in

photovoltaic research and development.



    BP Alternative Energy, launched in November 2005, combines all of BP's

interests in low and zero-carbon energy including wind, solar, hydrogen

power with carbon capture and storage, natural gas-fired power generation,

biofuels for low carbon transport and distributed energy for emerging

markets. For more information, please visit http://www.bpsolar.us or

http://www.bpalternativenergy.com.



    Notes to Editors:



    -- BP Solar's EnergyTile product is a roof-integrated solar module that

replaces concrete shingles on the roof.



    -- BP Solar's Integra(R) framing system mounts flush to an asphalt

shingle roof eliminating the need for a racking system and providing

improved aesthetics versus traditional solar electric systems.



    -- Each home will be equipped with a 3 kilowatt system that will

prevent about 18 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over ten years.



    -- BP Solar utilizes a lifecycle analysis model which assesses its

products' environmental impacts from cradle to grave - taking into account

the materials utilized, the manufacturing process, the use of the products

in the field and their disposal at the end of their useful life.



    -- A recent Harris Interactive/Trilogy by Shea Homes poll found that

baby boomers rank solar technology as the number one most important feature

of a green home (29%), followed by energy-efficient appliances (16%) and

dual pane windows (12%). In response, Trilogy's green homes are built to

exceed, by approximately 30%, the International Energy Code for energy

efficiency. Trilogy homes undergo 20 different tests and inspections by an

independent third party to achieve their green certification, which

surpasses industry standards.



    -- Increasing energy costs, as well as state and federal rebates and

incentives, make solar electric systems an increasingly popular choice for

homeowners who want to reduce their energy bills. Solar energy is also one

of the best ways to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve air

quality.



    -- Nestled in some of the most beautiful locations in the country,

Trilogy communities are designed to meet the needs and desires of baby

boomers entering the Third Stage of life. In September 2007, J.D. Power and

Associates ranked Trilogy

(http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=200716

7) by Shea Homes highest in customer satisfaction among the largest active

adult community new home builders in 34 U.S. markets.