Article by Joseph Oldham
The Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan produced by the California Public Utilities Commission in 2008 contains a goal for achieving zero-net energy (ZNE) on all new homes in California by 2020. The idea behind this goal was that improvements in building materials and techniques, increasingly stringent Title 24 energy codes, and lower costs for on-site renewable energy would all come together by 2020 to make this goal a reality. However, the goal was set out prior to the Great Recession and the collapse of the housing market in 2009. Many people have wondered, since the collapse, if achieving the ZNE goal for residential new construction by 2020 is even feasible or if the marketplace is ready for the added cost of ZNE homes. The good news is that in spite of the Great Recession, significant progress has been made toward development of mass produced ZNE homes in various regions of California. This article is Part 1 of a two-part series and focuses on two examples of this effort in Northern California communities.
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Author: Joseph Oldham
Pages: 4