While adding PV panels is a noble endeavor, it is unlikely to produce more than about one third of your annual electrical requirements.  Less than that, if you have air conditioning, even in a newly built, energy efficient home.  The financial savings, though, will continue to climb over time, as more dams and coal power are elliminated, and the cost of generation climbs steeply.  The payback time will shorten, and the lifecycle of the panels will net a return toward the rest of the power you use.

Solar panels are a great "green" addition to any home. That said, the roof underneath the solar panels is just as important. With an asphalt roof, the homeowner is going to be removing the solar panels to replace the asphalt roof long before the solar (PV) needs to be replaced. This wise choice would be to install a lifetime aluminum energy star rated roof and attachthe PV solar to the new metal roof. When the PV needs to be replaced or removed the roof will still be in service. In fact will last for many years beyond the life of the solar panels. On a different note, if you decide to install solar be sure you have a landing area for the snow slides coming off the panels. It is a little known problem that is just coming to light by the industry. Snow slides coming off a roof with solar can cause significant damage or injury. Be sure to address this issue with your solar contractor.

When it comes to energy efficiency, adding insulation is the most affordable upgrade that can be done to a 2-story home. With good insulation, there will be an immediate return on the money spent. A high performance energy efficient heating system is also very important. Energy efficient heating and good insulation work hand in hand by paying the homeowner back hundreds of dollars a year, along with the home being much more comfortable to live in. Lifetime aluminum metal roofing should rank very high on the priority list for an energy efficient home; certainly among the top three upgrades. The product itself is made from a very high percentage of post consumer aluminum. It is also considered to be among the most long lasting sustainable roofs that can be put on a home.There are aluminum roofs that are well over 100 years old in the USA. These roofs have very high reflectivity, which equates to high energy savings during the summer months or in the south where air conditioning is needed. These energy star rated roofs can save as much as 30% on energy as it relates to cooling costs. With proper insulation, energy efficient heating, and metal roofing, the home will have optimum energy efficiency and continue to remain at the most comfortable temperature based on the given seasons.

Get with a local solar company and have them look at your plans.  You may be building a home that cannot work with solar due to your roof pitch, orientation or shade.  Let them give you a site assessment and run the financials based on your available incentives.  You can look them up here:  http://dsireusa.org/

John,

Where is the home located in terms of climate region. There are some nuances when it comes to tuning glazing packages per elevation.

Keep in mind that standard Low-e glass will reduce the amount of radiant energy that enters through the window by more than 200% over clear glass right off the bat.

WoW Home Solutions

Since 80% of a window is glass, it is always wise to pick the right glass for the direction the window faces in your home.  LowE 366 Argon filled glass for the south and west exposures may be the best fit.  LowE 272 Argon filled glass for the north and east exposures might save you money and be just fine in those locations.  Visable light will be something you want to check if you have plants that require lots of light to grow.  The higher the number the more light for the plants.  Any window that has a U value of .27 or lower will be very energy efficient in both the summer and the winter.  Double pane vs. triple pane may make a difference, so be sure you review the manufacturers specifications before you make that decision.

The other decision you have to make is what kind of frame you want the window made of.  Vinyl, wood, wood clad and fiberglass are the main options you will have to consider.  Each has their plus and minus points.  However, as I stated above, 80% of a window is glass and most quality windows have the same glass options from the same manufacturers, so be sure you pick the right glass with a low U value and you should be happy.

Also, keep in mind that installation of the window is just as important as the quality of the window and the glass that is in it.  I advise you to get two or three bids and check each contractor out to make sure they have happy window clients.

The first thing to reduce energy is to see where it is being wasted.

 An energy audit with blower door test and infared camera is the best place to start. 

 The list of upgrades range from adding insulation, to replacing HVAC systems and everything in beteen, such as new windows and doors to installing smart theromstats. But because each home is different and has different needs the only way to be sure your upgrades are right for your home is to start with an energy audit.

You can also look into programmable thermostats!

I would start with making sure your attic has adequate ventilation.