Microgrids, Commercial, Solar  -  November 2, 2022

KB Home Launches California Microgrid Communities 

KB Home announced the launch of the first all-electric, solar- and battery-powered, microgrid communities in California. 

The homebuilder has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), SunPower Corp., the Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine, Southern California Edison, Schneider Electric and Kia to test the energy-efficient and resilient new homes located at KB Home’s Oak Shade and Durango communities within its r Shadow Mountain master plan in Menifee, California.

Every new KB energy-smart connected home at these communities will be equipped with smart technologies and a backup battery, plus community microgrid connectivity. These features are designed to work together to provide a self-supporting energy system that powers a specific neighborhood with a community battery and has the capability to operate independently during a grid outage. Additionally, these new KB homes will offer a set of benefits compared to homes without these features, including reduced energy use, switching to battery use, wired to be smart charger ready and have real-time monitoring.

“KB Home has been at the forefront of deploying advanced technologies and energy solutions for the benefit of our homebuyers. In our pursuit of building better homes, better communities and a better future, we believe that our all-electric, solar- and battery-powered homes at Oak Shade and Durango in Menifee, California have the potential to deliver significant energy savings,” said Jeffrey Mezger, KB Home’s Chairman, President and CEO in a statement.  “Working with industry and academic leaders, we plan to explore how these energy-smart connected communities can help protect the environment and turn our homes into their own power centers designed to deliver resiliency while also reducing the overall cost of long-term homeownership.”