zero-energy buildings

"Zero-energy" simply describes buildings that produce as much energy as they consume, or more. How is this achieved?

• Comprehensive energy efficiency
• High-integrity thermal envelope
• Passive solar heating and cooling
• Solar thermal for space and domestic water heating
• Solar photovoltaics for electricity
• Wind energy and/or micro hydro when appropriate
• Geothermal heat pumps
• Radiant heat distribution with internal thermal mass
• Radiant cooling
• Heat-recovery/cool recovery ventilation
• Surplus power exported to the utility grid
• Back-up power when the utility fails
• Solar recharging of electric and plug-in-hybrid vehicles

Time Magazine featured SDA founder Steven Strong, shown standing in front of what he calls a "21st Century Farmstead". A residence in Northern New England that, despite the harsh winter climate and modest solar resources, gets its heat, hot water and electricity from renewable energy with sufficient surplus solar-generated electricity to provide for the owners' local transportation needs when plug-in hybrids become widely available - about 18 months from now. Strong wants to make solar power the standard for homes. Read the complete Time article >>> Sustainability is the cornerstone of our design philosophy. The houses and buildings we create require a minimum of non-renewable energy. Some are energy-independent while others actually produce a surplus of energy that can be exported to the utility grid for the benefit of the greater community.        Steven Strong, SDA President

Environmental Center

Custom Residence

Olympic Venue