all-solar house gives a vision of the sustainable future

SDA teams with an electric utility to design a solar showplace

sda photo

Location: Boston, MA USA Client: Boston Edison Use: Private residence

Background:
In 1983, SDA was commissioned by a local utility, Boston Edison, to design and construct the PV-powered zero-energy `Impact 2000' House. The utility asked SDA to demonstrate of future trends in technology and environmentally responsive design that would be commonplace in twenty years.

Our response was to create a state-of-the-art carbon-neutral home with all the comforts and conveniences and no fossil fuel.

PBS master craftsman Norm Abrams filming at the Impact 2000 House building site
sda photoSpecial Features:
The house incorporated roof-integrated solar electric and solar thermal systems.

Other features include:

• a central two-story sunspace
• passive solar heating and cooling
• earth sheltering
• super insulation
• heat-recovery ventilation
• an earth-coupled, geothermal heat pump.

Outcome:
The Impact 2000 House was the subject of a national TV series on PBS viewed by an audience of over 9 million. For many, it was a first glimpse at the future of zero-energy, carbon-neutral home design.

After completion, the home was a showplace for educational tours on renewable energy and sustainable design. It was then sold to a private couple.

For over thirty years, Solar Design Associates has been in the forefront of a quiet revolution in the architecture and construction of buildings.

We are long-time proponents of solar electric, solar thermal and wind energy systems, and have been catalysts in the diffusion of building innovation centered around harnessing renewable resources to create zero-energy buildings.

We are committed both to the progress of the energy-responsive green building movement, and to the dissemination of information about renewable energy.

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