Trailblazers 2025: LenX Teams Up With Base On Home Energy Breakthrough

In an era where climate risks, grid instability, and rising energy costs intersect with home affordability challenges, Lennar is pioneering a solution that addresses them head-on. Through its innovation division LenX, Lennar has partnered with Base Power, a distributed energy storage startup, to directly bring residential batteries and smarter energy systems into new Texas homes.

This partnership is about more than just innovation — it’s about making homeownership resilient, reliable, and attainable in a volatile world,” says Eric Feder, President of LenX, in an exclusive conversation with The Builder’s Daily. “It aligns perfectly with Lennar’s mission to lead the industry in sustainability and customer value while redefining what it means to buy and live in a new home.”

Launching in Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, Feder notes that the program will expand to Houston in 2025, with plans to serve thousands of Lennar homeowners.

Per a provided statement:

Lennar’s collaboration with Base will pilot in multiple communities [confirmed by Base to be 15 communities] across North Austin and DFW, beginning with Firefly Pointe (Hutto), Rancho del Cielo (Jarrell), and Rancho Canyon (Haslet). When homeowners enroll with Base, their Lennar home will come outfitted with a Base battery. The program is expected to expand across Lennar communities in Texas."

Base Power’s cutting-edge systems, including a 20-kWh battery, promise backup power during outages, lower utility bills, and seamless energy management.

Here’s what the venture means for Lennar, its customers, and the broader homebuilding industry.

What we’re doing with Lennar is partnering in a way that allows us to install the batteries as part of the home building process, which makes the installation cost much lower because it’s done before the homeowner moves in," Zach Dell, co-founder and CEO of Base, tells us. "So, when you buy your Lennar home, you can select that you want to be Base powered, and we’ll install that battery on the house before you move in.”

Why Texas Is the Right Launchpad

The genesis of Lennar’s Base Power partnership lies in Texas’ deregulated energy market — a critical enabler, or gait, for the initiative. Unlike regulated states where monopoly utilities dominate, deregulation allows Base to act as both a retail electricity provider (REP) and an energy storage innovator.

Texas is uniquely suited for what we’re building,” says Zach Dell, son of Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell. “The state’s volatile grid, growing dependence on renewables, and frequent outages make it the perfect environment to demonstrate the power of distributed batteries. Our system doesn’t just provide backup power—it helps stabilize the grid while saving homeowners money.”

Feder elaborates:

Deregulated markets like Texas allow Base to sell power to our homeowners, leveraging their innovative model of charging batteries during off-peak times and discharging during peak demand. This reduces grid stress and creates a win-win for customers and utilities alike.”

Feder also emphasizes the growing fragility of power grids amid the electrification boom, including the rapid adoption of EVs.

The grid is becoming more stressed every year, and utilities can’t keep up. Base offers a solution that benefits everyone — homeowners, utilities, and the industry.”

A Competitive Edge In The Homebuying Experience

Lennar’s partnership with Base Power is poised to differentiate its homes in a highly competitive market. The integrated battery system not only ensures resiliency but also reduces operational costs — a major selling point in today’s affordability-strained housing market.

This is about giving homebuyers peace of mind,” says Feder. “Base guarantees energy costs at least 10% lower than other providers, while providing a backup system that covers 97% of outages experienced over the past 20 years. For our customers, it’s a seamless way to add value and reliability to their home.”

Base co-founder Dell echoes this sentiment, explaining how Base Power’s system integrates into the homebuying process.

We’ve designed the experience to be effortless. Homeowners can monitor energy use, manage costs, and see real-time data through our app. It’s about making energy management intuitive and stress-free.”

The program also has significant implications for affordability. Lower utility costs improve homebuyers’ purchasing power by reducing the total cost of ownership, which Feder notes is “a crucial factor in qualifying for a mortgage.”

By embedding Base into Lennar’s homes, the company offers a differentiated product that resonates with today’s value-conscious buyers.

Innovation as an Industry Imperative

Beyond its immediate benefits, Lennar sees the Base partnership as a model for the broader homebuilding industry.

This isn’t just a Lennar solution — it’s an industry solution,” Feder asserts. “I believe Base’s model will become a standard in new homes, as other builders recognize its potential to deliver value and resiliency.”

The initiative also underscores Lennar’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. From energy efficiency to water conservation, the company has consistently sought to lead the industry in forward-thinking practices.

We’ve always focused on staying ahead of the curve,” says Feder. “I have to give a shout-out to Zach and his team on that note. The Apple didn't fall far from the tree. We are privileged, and couldn't be happier to be in this partnership. It's not easy for home builders to dovetail with startups and technology companies. We're very proud of having earned a seat at the table and being a participant in Base. This partnership with Base is another step toward making homes more sustainable and livable.”

Dell praises Lennar’s approach, highlighting the challenges of aligning a startup with a legacy homebuilder.

Lennar has been an incredible partner. They’ve built a reputation in the tech world as a company that delivers on its promises. It’s not easy to integrate a cutting-edge startup into a traditional industry, but Lennar makes it work.”Resiliency and Affordability in a Changing World

The Lennar-Base Power partnership arrives at a critical moment for the housing industry, where affordability, climate risks, and energy instability converge. As the U.S. faces rising grid failures and homebuyers grapple with operational cost uncertainties, solutions like Base offer a pathway to resilience.

This is about more than just batteries,” Dell explains. “It’s about enabling homeowners to live without worrying about power outages or skyrocketing energy bills. It’s about creating homes that are ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

Feder adds:

We hope this becomes a case study for other markets, including regulated ones. The benefits for homeowners and utilities are undeniable, and we believe this model can impact how homes are built and powered.”

A Vision for the Future

As the partnership expands into Houston and beyond, Lennar and Base Power are breaking new ground in the role of homebuilders in shaping residential energy's future. By embedding resiliency, affordability, and sustainability into the fabric of their homes, they are addressing not just market demands but broader societal challenges.

The initiative reflects Lennar's broader mandate to innovate and lead. For fledgling Base Power, it’s a step toward transforming how energy is consumed and managed in American homes.

For homebuyers, it promises reliability, value, and peace of mind in a world that increasingly demands all three.