Dow Chemical and Cobblestone homes have teamed up to build a net-zero energy home. The home was built to not just demonstrate sustainable building, but to show that sustainable homes can be affordable by most home buyers.
The building site, located in Midland Michigan, was opened to public in May 2011 and will serve as an educational tool and to show real world application of the Powerhouse Solar Shingle for another year. Many visitors from around the world have come to view this 1,556 square foot home.
The Powerhouse Solar Shingle from Dow Chemical can be applied easily by any roofer on roofs made with conventional asphalt shingles. These shingles will be available in mass by late 2011. These solar shingles are more attractive than solar panels and are more efficient.
Part of making a more sustainable home is not just that it creates energy from solar, but that it is efficient with the use of that energy. Insulation and air-sealing are key to keep the energy load as low as possible.
The US Department of Energy defines a net-zero energy home as one that uses 60-70 percent less energy than a conventional home, with the balance of its energy needs supplied by renewable technologies.
The InVision Zero home is not “off the grid”. It may use some energy from the local utility but its bulk energy needs are produce on its own. The extra energy it produces during the day can be sold back to the utility through net metering to offset any usage cost.
Solar shingles were named as one of the top 50 inventions of the year by Time magazine in 2009.
sources:
- InVisionZeroHome.com
- mlive.com
- ecohomemagazine.com
We will look into adding the solar shingle when available in the Kansas City, MO (north end of Kansas City).
This really appears to be the least invasive way to produce electricity for home use.
Ideally we will come as close to getting off of the grid as possible. And today, I understand that Kansas City and the state of Missouri has not supported pay back for selling excess electricity to the local power provider – Missouri Gas and Electric. I would rather give my excess to a neighbor who is in need if this need should occur!