Skies to brighten for solar?

"It really doesn't work as an option," he said. "It doesn't get selected because of the cost."

Meanwhile, one Sacramento builder has included solar-power systems in moderately priced homes.

"Once you see the cost of solar power going under $10,000, you will see a big change," said John Ralston, vice president of sales and marketing for Premier Homes in Sacramento, which sold 95 2-kilowatt-system homes in the $244,900-to-$450,000 range over the last year. Financial incentives from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District helped keep the systems cost-effective for home buyers.

Increased competition from photovoltaic-cell makers is also helping to lower the price of solar systems for builders and consumers, said Paul Johnson, senior vice president of community development for Ladera Ranch. "As the costs go down, acceptance in the industry will rise."

Ricky Santana, 39, his partner, Diego Santana, 42, and their two children moved last year to a Terramor neighborhood called Walden Park. The William Lyon Homes development in Ladera Ranch has a greenbelt and numerous baby strollers, children on bikes and joggers. Home prices range from the high $600,000s to the low $700,000s.

The solar power and the family atmosphere drew them to Walden Park. Diego, a real estate attorney, liked the lower electricity bills, energy-efficient construction and utility company rebates, and homemaker Ricky wanted a greener lifestyle. "It was a big plus for us," Ricky said.

Four neighborhoods in Terramor -- Sedona by Shea Homes, Mosaic by K. Hovnanian Homes, Evergreen by Pardee Homes and Walden Park -- all use solar roof panels with photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. But not every residence in Terramor has solar. Some homes, such as the attached town-house dwellings, are too shaded to make including a solar system worthwhile.

Dan Gray, a computer programmer, and his family also bought a home in Walden Park because of its solar power and conservation qualities.

"I come from a very environmental family in Seattle and the Bay Area," said Gray, 37, holding 4-month-old daughter Samantha.

Gray hoped he would find an opportunity for green living in Southern California, and when he learned of the Terramor developments, he wanted one of the energy-efficient homes. He and wife Giselle, 34, purchased their house in October and are awaiting its completion.