No, green homes don’t always have solar panels. While solar panels are a popular and effective way to generate clean energy, there are many other factors that go into building a green home, such as using high-efficiency HVAC systems, insulation, and windows.
It’s a common misconception that solar panels alone make a home “green.” In fact, a home with solar panels installed can still be wasting or using lots of energy due to poor insulation and air sealing or inefficient and improperly installed heating and cooling systems and appliances. BPC builds some homes that have solar panels, and others that don’t. We also can build what is called a “Zero Energy Ready” home, which is a home that will become a “Net Zero Home” if solar panels are installed at a later date.