Ribbon cutting conducted at experimental houses in Parksley Friday

Photo: Parksley Mayor Frank Russell, Assistant Accomack County Administrator Lee Pambid, Brice Laconte of I Unit and Supervisor Jeff Parks cut the ribbon.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony in Parksley Friday marked the debut of two new experimental homes designed to push the boundaries of affordable, energy-efficient housing. A small crowd gathered as officials and project partners celebrated the installation of the units, which were manufactured in Pennsylvania by Champion Homes in collaboration with I Unit.

The project was funded through a Virginia Housing grant administered by Accomack County.

Brice Leconte with I Unit says the homes reflect his longtime goal: creating high-quality housing that families can actually afford. The two models measure just under 1,300 and 1,400 square feet, and both come equipped with solar shingles. Leconte says the aim is for each home to generate more energy than it uses over the course of a year.

The units are classified as manufactured homes, and Leconte expects them to hit the market in March, with prices ranging between $200,000 and $300,000.