The 2008 Building Industry of Hawaii's Parade of Homes has a definitive emphasis on energy efficiency, signaling a growing trend among developers in the 21st century.

Nearly all of the single-family homes being featured in this year's event, from the affordable to the luxury range, have one feature in common—solar water heaters.

But the participants this year also added in solar photovoltaic systems, Energy Star appliances, dual pane Low E windows, Icynene open cell insulation and energy-efficient air conditioning.

Karen Nakamura, chief executive of BIA Hawaii, said the number of developers participating in the Built Green program launched seven years ago, has grown significantly.

Participating developers are awarded from one to three stars for green features in their homes.

“;This year is, by far, the largest number of green homes we have had in the parade's history,”; said Nakamura, adding that the parade is 52 years old.

In all, there were 22 entries on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. The majority of solar-equipped homes were on Oahu.

The homes in the parade were built and planned well before legislation for the mandatory solar water heater became law this year. Under that mandate, all homes built in 2010 and after will have to feature a solar water heater as a standard feature.

Mark Development is holding open house for a 3-bedroom home at Ke Ola O Pokai Bay in Waianae. Besides a spacious kitchen and backyard, the home offers a solar water heater, good cross-ventilation and Tech Shield roof sheathing.

“;We were one of the first developers to put solar on all our homes,”; said Craig Watase, vice president of Mark Development. “;We think it's important for buyers to realize that when they're shopping for a home, they're not just looking at the home but the cost of owning a home.”;

Watase said the homes include solar water heaters to keep costs low, without monthly association fees.

The homes start in the low $400,000s, with about 40 out of 125 completed so far.

Haseko Homes, although it did not offer solar water heaters in its earlier phases of developments, now has a parade entry for Ka Makana at Hoakalei in Ewa Beach, two-story homes that come with solar water heaters.

D.R. Horton Schuler, at its Kahiwelo at Makakilo development in Kapolei, is offering four-bedroom homes with solar water heaters, compact fluorescent bulbs—and as an option, photovoltaic cells from Kapolei-based Hoku Scientific Inc.

Gentry, however, took it one step further by offering homes that come with a solar PV system already as part of its Latitudes community as well as its Haleakea project in Ewa Beach.

They are being marketed as hybrid homes, which are up to 50 percent more energy efficient, and are available for a limited time, said Gentry's sales and marketing vice president Rick Hobson, for those who close escrow by the end of December.

Homes at Latitudes begin in the low $500,000s, while executive homes at Haleakea begin in the mid-$600,000s.

He estimated the 1-kilowatt solar PV systems cost about $14,000 per home. They should save about one-third of the energy consumed by a family of four, he said. The solar water heater would reduce energy costs even further.

Hobson said the decision to incorporate solar technology made economic sense in a time of skyrocketing fuel prices. But Gentry has been committed to building green since 2005. Moving from solar water heaters to photovoltaics was a natural progression, he said.

In the million-dollar and above category, Royal Clark Development Co. boasts of high-volume ceilings in its Gardenia Model Home at Bay View Estates, a new subdivision in Kaneohe.

Averaging 4,000 square-feet, the homes also offer porcelain tile flooring and a 120-gallon solar water heaters (where tax credits would be passed on to the homeowner) as standard features.