News

EchoFirst signs U.S. deal with home-builder Meritage to provide hybrid solar power systems
- Jan. 12, 2011

EchoFirst, manufacturer of the Echo solar system, has signed a National Agreement with Meritage Homes, which will see Meritage solely use the Echo solar system at its solar-powered communities in the U.S. The Echo solar system has already been used at solar-powered communities in the U.S. with homebuilders such as Meritage, Joseph Carl Homes and Shea Homes providing homebuyers the option of the Echo solar system. The agreement is said to be the first of its kind in the home building industry.

"Echo sets the standard for superior value in solar energy production and as an integrated solar system," said C.R. Herro, vice president of environmental affairs at Meritage Homes. "Last year, in a challenging economic environment, Meritage decided to include Echo as a standard feature in 17 extreme energy efficient communities, and it paid off: many of these communities are selling homes over three times faster than our competition. Our homebuyers are looking for a holistic solution to energy efficiency and sustainability, and Echo helps us give it to them. Echo doesn't just generate electricity like a basic PV system, it also helps our homeowners meet their total home heating and cooling needs as well. And when we show homebuyers how Echo's advanced technology lets them use their mobile phone to monitor their home - and as a remote control for their home thermostat -- they don't want to settle for anything else."