TUCSON, Ariz. — Armory Park Del Sol is a community of solar homes near downtown designed for energy efficiency, aesthetic beauty and integration into the historic Armory Park neighborhood.

The development was created by John Wesley Miller and his company, which has been building homes in Tucson for over 50 years and working with solar energy for over 30.

Armory Park Del Sol Standard Features Standard Features •At least 1.5 kilowatt photovoltaic solar system •Dual-pane high efficiency windows •High efficiency heating pumps •High efficiency appliance and lighting •Thick masonry with thermal mass storage for increased heating/cooling efficiency •Multiple models with custom designs •Two parks and landscaped common areas •Easy accessability for the handicapped and elderly

The 99-lot community is located in Armory Park and prides itself on blending in with the surrounding historic community despite its high-tech nature.

"We did not want to be isolated by walls and gates like in many other communities," Miller said. "We decided we can enhance the neighborhood's quality of life while we are enhanced by the old culture and their quality of life."

According to Nancy Snow, an executive sales consultant at JWM Co., the custom homes were built to match the architectural styles already present in the neighborhood while retaining a unique sense of identity. She said each home is created with a color that is never allowed to be used again.

Aside from the solar panels peeking out from above the garages, the houses show little indication of their energy efficient infrastructure.

Each home comes with a 1.5 kilowatt photovoltaic system and a solar water heater that provides roughly half the homes' hot-water needs. Efficient appliances and construction techniques further help lower the homes' energy needs.

The walls of Armory Park Del Sol homes are made of thick masonry filled with thermal mass storage and wrapped in a special stucco finish that helps keep the elements out and the home's heating and cooling in. Custom windows help this effect as well.

"There is nothing wrong with the standard wood frame and insulation houses typically use, but this is better," Miller said. "The temperature swings are much lower."

In addition to the standard homes, Armory Park Del Sol boasts two net-zero energy homes, which means over the course of a year these houses create as much energy as they use.

To achieve this, Miller installed 42 panels providing 6.93 kilowatts of power and thicker insulation all the way around the house. The company even has an agreement with Tucson Electric Power that will credit the homeowner if the house supplies more energy than it uses.

Click here to see a slideshow of a net-zero energy home.

John Wesley Miller Companies' Awards and Recognitions •Southern Arizona Home Builders Association's 2007 Builder of the Year •U.S. Department of Energy recognition for the builders challenge. •2008 Energy Value Housing Award •2007 AARP Livable Communities Award •Gov. Janet Napolitano's Arizona Innovation Award •More…

Miller said that although the houses cost more because of the technology they employ, homes start at around $300,000 and the net-zero homes cost about $750,000. He said that the homes save money in the long run.

The federal government currently offers homeowners a $2,000 tax credit for each solar system installed, and the state offers a $1,000 tax credit.

In addition, TEP offers around $3 for every watt of solar energy installed. With the standard system at 1.5 kilowatts, Miller said owners are entitled to around $9,500 "just for turning on the lights."

Miller does not have any specific plans for the future. He said he is content watching the technology develop and taking it from there.

"Let's not limit ourselves to what we dream today," Miller said. "If you expect answers to your far-out questions, maybe you haven't asked a big enough question."