all-solar residence is family's dream home

SDA designs an energy-efficient solution for a cold climate

In the harsh Maine winter, this energy-conscious house produces its own heat, hot water and electricity from the sun that shines on its roof.

Location: Maine USA Client: Bill & Deborah Lord Use: Private residence

Background:
Owners Bill and Deborah Lord had a plan to retire to the coast of Maine, and knew they wanted a solar house. Their most pressing priorities were family and a sustainable future; the house had to comfortably accommodate regular visits from their children and grandchildren, as well as having a minimal environmental impact.

Solar Design worked with them to create an enduring homestead that's easy to maintain as well as easy on the environment.

Special Features:

• passive solar heating and cooling
• radiant heat distribution
• super insulation
• advanced R-8 windows
• monolithic air and vapor barriers
• air-lock vestibules
• a heat-recovery ventilation system

Outcome:
The owners love their solar home and enthusiastically spread the word about solar living.

They've created an informational web site describing their home, and have hosted Solar Tours of the house annually.

Other details about the Maine solar house:

• Floor Area: 2,750 sq ft
• Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, living room, kitchen, entertainment room, and computer loft
• Insulation: Walls: 2x6, plus 2 in polyisocyanurate rigid board, equaling R-38
• Glass: R-8 Hurd Solar Glass (windows and sliding doors)
• Roof: Truss construction, R-60
• PV System: 4.2 kW (peak) , 384 sq ft
• Thermal System: collector area, 480 sq ft; two 500-gallon storage tanks; active circulation
• Design details: PV, solar thermal, air-to-air heat exchanger, radiant floor, low consumption plumbing, fresh-air intake, central vacuum, R-8 windows, vented walls (to extend life of siding and stain), monolithic air and moisture barriers to limit air infiltration.

"We basically live like everybody else", Debbi Lord says, "but the sun is providing our energy. The home is very peaceful to come home to. It's quite a gift - inside and outside, it's truly a gift."

This project represents an innovative integration of architectural aesthetic and efficient green technology. This 2,750 sq. ft solar-powered residence combines energy-conscious design with passive and active solar utilization. Despite Maine's harsh winter climate and modest solar resources, the home produces its own hear, hot water, and electricity from the sun.

The south roof incorporates an integrated array of solar thermal collectors and large-area PV modules to form a single, uniform glass plane. The integral solar array serves as the weathering skin of the roof and is passively cooled from below by thermosyphon air flow.

Through a net-metering arrangement with the local utility, the home exports its surplus solar electricity to the utility grid. The owners get this power back via an even exchange when it's needed, typically at night or during periods of low sunlight. The power system also features on-site storage to carry the house in the event of a utility outage.

Each year the home produces more electricity than it needs. Both the owners and the power company benefit from this arrangement.

Solar Design Associates works with private residential clients to custom design new homes in all geographic and climate regions.
Please contact us if you are interested in pursuing the possibility of owning an energy-autonomous house powered by sustainable technology. We would be glad to discuss your project requirements with you.