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First Solar Homes Power Electric Car

City Ventures President, Homebuilding Group Herb Gardner (right) plugs new solar-powered townhouse into the Nissan LEAF with Russell Vare, Corporate Planning Manager for Nissan North America (left), making it the first solar home to power an electric car. Santa Ana, California-based City Ventures has more than 190 new homes pre-wired for electric charging stations, the most in the United States. California expects 1 million electric cars on the state's roads by 2020. (Photo: Business Wire)

"A City Ventures residence puts homeowners farther on the path to net-zero energy independence than any other new home on the market," says Herb Gardner, president of City Ventures' Homebuilding Division. "Its built-in solar power provides 'off-the-grid' energy, while its highly efficient appliances and materials reduce energy consumption compared to most new homes. The electric bills are exceptionally low and there are no gas bills. All this makes for a green earth and green wallet, returning immediate savings to the owner. Our Signal Hill Collection is the first opportunity to see these homes and their pre-wired LEAF technology in action."

City Ventures is following up the "Plug Into History" event by inviting interested homeowners and the general public to come tour its Signal Hill Collection on Saturday, November 19^th from noon-3 p.m. at 1850 N. Orizaba Avenue, Signal Hill, Ca 90755. This is the first opportunity to tour a pre-wired, all-electric neighborhood and experience first-hand the groundbreaking features of these residences. The program will include:

• Free Nissan LEAF Plug-in - Demonstrations for current LEAF owners as well as test drive and pre-sales opportunities from neighborhood dealer Hooman Nissan. Noon - 3 p.m..
• Chef Susan Millis from Seal Beach PREP demonstrating cooking techniques and tastings from the advanced technology kitchens that include induction and convection appliances. 1-2 p.m.
• Signal Hill's unique solar power technology will be explained onsite by suppliers Petersen Dean. noon-3 p.m.
• Prize Raffles - Flat screen TV, gift certificates and PREP cooking classes (raffle drawings on the hour starting at 1 p.m.)

City Ventures sustainable homes are branded as Green Key residences. The Green Key home initiative began as part of City Ventures' mission to design and develop environmentally responsible homes in urban areas at competitive price points. As part of the company's ultimate mandate to build only net-zero-energy communities, a large portion of the power required to operate each home is generated on-site through built-in solar panels. The solar energy, combined with the most-efficient materials and appliances available, make a City Ventures' Green Key home the most sustainable new-construction residence available.

City Ventures earth-friendly residences elements include:

• Garage pre-wired for electric cars.
• High-performance integrated solar power.
• Energy Star-rated hybrid electric water heater.
• Low-flow faucets and shower heads.
• Energy Star high-efficiency dishwasher.
• Low-emission windows for superior insulation against cold and heat.

All Green Key homes will exceed state-mandated Title 24 environmental efficiency standards by at least 30%. They are LEED Gold level and Energy Star-certified.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50078509&lang=en

Paolucci Communication Arts | Public Relations
Steve Fisher
(310) 791-2759 ext. 320
(818) 688-1502 cell
sfisher@PaolucciCommArts.com