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The beauty of this traditional colonial goes beyond it's attractive exterior. It's family-friendly interior is run by solar power -- making it a net-zero home.
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Alden Hathaway wanted to build a solar-powered home for his family in rural Virginia. The catch? His wife demanded that the solar power be able to fully support their lifestyle without eliminating creature comforts or altering their daily routines. Hathaway successfully built a 3,000 square foot, two story home with a traditional design that's also a net zero energy home (generating as much energy as it uses). How did he do it? In addition to his solar system, Hathaway made his home more efficient by switching to compact flourescents, installing energy-efficient appliances and increasing the insulation. Consider that the average family uses 55 kilowatts of energy every day -- but the Hathaway home both produces and uses 24 kilowatts per day -- eliminating electric bills altogether. In addition, Hathaway connected the family's home to a power grid and joined a local net-metering program. This allows Hathaway to "take" electricity when needed, and "shift" excess back to his local utility company for a credit that carries over to his next bill. And the cost of all this? Hathaway says that after his initial expenses for the solar system, he only has to pay an $11 meter fee each month. For more information on solar power, including product specifications and installation instructions, see Resources below.
RESOURCES :
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Solar Decathlon
U.S. Department of Energy
Website: www.solardecathlon.org
Solar Buildings
Covers zero-energy building and other solar technologies.
Solar Buildings
Website: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
Website: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar
Photovoltaic Panel Installation Guide (BP Solar MST Integra-Mount)
Model: Solar Panel SX-110
BP Solar (Integra-Mount Photovoltaic Panels)
Website: www.bpsolar.com
Solar Panels and Hardware (BP)
Model: SX-110
BP Solar (Solar Panels and Hardware)
Website: www.bpsolar.com
Solar Inverter, Converters and Charge Controllers (Xantrex)
SW Series Solar Installation Guides, Battery Specs for model 2580NC and PV Series
Xantrex
Website: www.xantrex.com
Solar Power Products, Packages and Installation (Atlantic Solar)
Including installation and operation of Sunmate generators.
Atlantic Solar Products
Phone: 410-686-2500
Solar System Design and Installation
Chesapeake Wind & Solar
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
Solar Patriot Home
Solar Strategies Development Corporation
We apologize no contact information is available.
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