ARIZONA DAILY STAR:  Thurs., June 25, 2009

OV orders solar-ready home starts

By Lourdes Medrano

 

Oro Valley is making it easier for new homeowners to go green.   The Town Council last week amended Oro Valley's building codes to include mandatory solar-ready fixtures in houses and duplexes built after July 17.

The council unanimously agreed that builders must install stub-outs to connect hot water heaters as well as photovoltaic solar panels that convert sunlight to electricity.   At its June 17 meeting, the council also mandated pre-plumbing for graywater harvesting. Graywater systems reuse water from washing machines, sinks, showers and bathtubs in landscape irrigation. The measure goes into effect in June 2010.

It will be optional for homeowners to install both solar energy and graywater systems.