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Steven Strong's
The Solar Electric House
Steven Strong's Classic Book: The Solar Electric House

A consumer's guide to solar home design, by the pre-eminent authority on renewable energy systems.

first home powered by photovoltaics

SDA engineers world's first PV house

Carlisle house - SDA
Carlisle house - SDA's first-in-the-nation PV powered residence
sda photo 		Location: Carlisle, MA USA

Client: Private

Use: Prototype residential home powered by PV

Background:
In 1979, working with R&D support from the US Department of Energy (DOE), SDA developed the first building-integrated PV system and constructed a prototype residential roof for evaluation by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later that same year, MIT commissioned Solar Design Associates to design and engineer a 3,200 sq. ft. energy-efficient, passive solar residence powered by PV.

Special Features:
The 'Carlisle House' features

  • passive solar heating and cooling
  • super-insulation
  • internal thermal mass
  • earth-sheltering
  • daylighting
  • a roof-integrated solar thermal system
  • a 7.5 kilowatt-peak (kWp) PV array


The Carlisle house was the first residence ever to be fully powered by a utility-interactive PV system. There is no fossil fuel on site with surplus solar power exported to the utility via a then unique arrangement with the utility which has since become known as "Net Metering".

Outcome:
Following on the success of this early effort, SDA began to receive commissions from private clients for environmentally responsive residences powered by photovoltaics....and we haven't looked back.

Talk with us about your dreams and ideas for innovative, energy-responsive building design. We are uniquely qualified to explore renewable-energy technologies, both proven and new, to address your design goals.


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