SNI Project: 2007 NAHB National Green Building Conference Near Zero Showcase Home

The St. Louis Home Builders Association Tour of Green Homes is going on this Saturday, June 16th from 10am to 4pm. Come visit the beautiful Sage NZEH home and learn about all of the green options it boasts--especially SNI's 4kW solar PV system, of course!

See you there!

Maria Cantwell's Clean Energy Investment Assurance Act

US Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) recently introduced legislation entitled the Clean Energy Investment Assurance Act. This act makes modern energy more feasible to the consumer by extending current tax credits making renewable energy solutions more competitive with fossil fuels. This bill will also play a large part in reducing harmful fossil fuel emissions.

"Green technology shouldn't be left behind any longer," said Cantwell.  "...We need predictable federal incentives to encourage investment."

Cantwell's Clean Energy Investment Assurance Act would:

-Extend the renewable electricity production credit through 2013; this credit, currently set to expire next year, provides an incentive for businesses and utilities to diversify their sources of energy and promote energy production using biomass, wind power, hydropower, geothermal power, and other clean, renewable resources; this bill also levels the playing field by providing an incentive to both thermal energy production and electricity production that use renewable resources, and modifies the tax credit to increase the incentive effect for all renewable technologies that produce zero carbon emissions

-Extend and expand the Clean Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) program; these bonds provide public power systems with interest-free borrowing for renewable energy projects, offering consumer-owned utilities a benefit comparable to tax credits provided to private utilities; the legislation extends bonding authority through 2013 and also increases the amount of bonds that utilities can issue

-Extend until 2017 the 30-percent tax credit for the purchase of residential solar power, solar water heating, and fuel cell equipment, and qualified energy storage air conditioner property

-Extend until 2017 the 30-percent business tax credit for investments in solar energy equipment, fuel cell power plants, and qualified energy storage air conditioner property

-Extend until 2013 the tax credit for the construction of new energy-efficient homes

-Extend through 2013 the deduction for investments in energy efficient commercial buildings to reduce annual energy and power consumption; the legislation would also increase the value of the deduction from $1.80 to $2.25 per square foot

-Extend until 2013 the 10 percent investment tax credit for the cost of energy efficient materials used in the construction of buildings; the credit would also apply to energy efficient heating, cooling, ventilating, and lighting; the legislation would modify existing law to base incentives on performance rather than cost

-Provide a faster write-off for investments in new "smart meters;" these smart meters would be eligible for five-year cost recovery, meaning that the cost of the device could be deducted in its entirety over a five-year period; currently, these meters are treated the same at traditional meters, with the deduction spread over a 20-year span; this 20-year span acts as a disincentive for taxpayers to upgrade their meters and benefit from the resulting energy savings

For more info on Cantwell's act visit her site.

ECA MIA in MO? No!

I am pleased to announce that the Easy Connection Act (ECA) has officially passed!!!

The ECA establishes uniform procedures to allow Missourians to connect a small renewable energy system to the electric grid in a quick, safe, and reliable manner. The ECA also establishes "true net metering", implemented in 41 states and Washington D.C., which credits an owner of a renewable energy system at a one-to-one rate for electricity "sold" back to the grid. Most basically, the Easy Connection Act makes it easier and more cost effective for a Missourian to install a renewable energy system onto a home or business. This victory is a critical first step to bring Missouri's renewable energy policy up to the national standard. The Easy Connection Act passed as an amendment to the "Green Power Initiative Bill" in the House on May 8, by a vote of 146-6, and passed the Senate on May 14 by a vote of 34-0. With renewable energy bills passing with such bi-partisan fanfair the future of renewable energy is shaping up to be a unifying movement in the U.S. and abroad. Start earning back from the grid today!

Net-Metering In Missouri

The Easy Connection Act is all but passed--just awaiting the signature of Governor Blunt. In my post 42nd out of 50? (SNI's Main "live" blog)) I pointed out how Missouri (SNI's home-base) was lagging behind in regards to net-metering--which is allows the owner of the renewable energy system to be credited at a one-to-one rate for the clean, renewable electricity it contributes back to the grid.

Well no longer!

We won't be the 50th state to sign on to a bill that makes sense because it allows the creators of clean, renewable energy to make cents. Regardless of who has the distinction of being the last state, I think the last 8 will sign on soon--and that's a great step forward.

Cheers! To progress!

Until next time...May your emissions be clean, your energy green, and your utility bills lean...

Green on the Scene---SOON!

After all of the foot traffic the Sage booth received at Forest Park's Earth Day festival I would anticipate a busy showing schedule when the Sage NZEH home goes on the market in a few weeks. The 3,700 square foot home is also able to be toured from the luxury of your current home (in the form of an on-line virtual tour) here, and can be seen on June 16th as a feature home in the Green Parade of Homes.

So get out (or stay in) and check it out!

Not ready to move but want to green up your act? Check this and this out...

"$1 = $20"

When a person considers purchasing a renewable energy system for their home they tend to have environmental and economic interests in mind. I like to call it "double-green vision" (money and earth). Their economic interests typically lay in big future savings as well as, consistent (read: predictable) energy bills. However, something new to consider recently crossed my plate...

...According to the National Appraisers Association, for every $1 spent on annual energy savings, the value of a home increases $20. Therefore, homeowners who save $1000 a year in electricity costs could see their home's value jump $20,000!

More great news for modern energy! Such news seems endless these days. I know what you're thinking.

"He's going to tell us to go out and get our renewable energy assessment today."

Wrong! I was going to tell you to do it tomorrow. We're busy doing everyone else's assessment today.

Have a relaxing weekend...if that's your style.

The Lo-Carb(on) Game

How to play:

Everyone who plays wins (see below). But, the big winners are those who gather the most players to join the game!

Point totals*:

Make sure dishwasher and laundry machine are full before operating= 10 points

Hang your laundry to dry= 15 points

Turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees= 20 points

Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL's= 25 points

Recycle= 30 points

Ride bike, carpool, or take mass transit to work= 50 points

Take action to support renewable energy= 50 points

Follow all 20 recommendations from the following list= 100 points

Get a renewable energy site assessment= 100 points

Add a solar or wind energy system to your home or office= 250 points

Add a player to join the Lo-Carb game= 100 points per player

*Note--this list is just a start to get you headed in the right direction. Feel free to add scoring opportunities and applicable points on your own.

Winner: Everyone involved wins! They win a healthier home, community, and planet, increased savings over time (on their energy bill) and, most importantly, the opportunity to tell their children and grandchildren that they actively took part in making the world a better place for future generations!

(The points are for those who like to keep score--you know who you are--and for competing with friends and family on your own.)

Have fun...and NEVER stop playing!!!

More fun tomorrow. e-See ya then...

April Fools

A bill was just signed that requires everyone to install a renewable energy system by 2010! The bill also states that federal government will foot the bill for 100% of the cost of purchasing and installing your system!!!

April Fools...

...but wouldn't it be great?!?!

Give Your Input on the National Green Building Standard

Homes like the Sage showcase home will continue to gain popularity in the coming years (see previous posts--or tour the home already!). Realizing the growing interest in green building, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the International Code Council (ICC), and the NAHB Research Center have initiated a process for the development of an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard for green home building construction practices. The working draft of the National Green Building Standards, which is based on the NAHB's Green Building Guidelines, is now available for public comment.  See the "Public Input Submission Form" at the following link.

The green building movement is still in its infancy and therefore, we are given the great opportunity to weigh in on the national standards. Opportunities like this don't happen often--share your ideas  by April 15, 2007!!!

Have a great weekend! See you 'Monday Bloggy Monday'...

Come on Over Neighbor

One of the most impressive things about the Sage NZEH home is its size. At approximately 3,700 square feet it will comfortably accommodate a family of any size...and their neighbors. If this St. Louis summer is anything like the last, the future owner of the Sage home may have unexpected visitors. They are bound to draw attention when, in the event of a power outage, they are relaxing in their well-lit (with CFL light bulbs) home and dining on the food that is staying cool in the fridge.

This is all thanks to the sun, Solar Night's wonderful 4kW solar system, and the Gridpoint inverter (see below) that has automatically turned itself on the instant the power went out. If your home were, say, the Millennium Falcon, then the Gridpoint system is R2D2. This little solar side-kick is smart enough to do all of the troubleshooting on its own.

During an outage it offers 900-1000 amp hours of clean energy while powering your sump pump, lighting, refrigerator, geothermal unit, and more. And because it automatically turns itself on when needed you may never even know that there is a power outage. That is until your neighbors come-a-knockin'. And when they do, be sure to offer them a cool drink and take the time to direct them to VETSS for their own renewable energy assessment. As much fun as it is to be the neighborhood hero--you don't have to be the only one...Even R2D2 had C3PO.

 

Blog ya later...

The Green Magazine Scene

Sage Homebuilders and Solar Night Industries are aware that the modern home buyer is now looking for a more ecologically and economically friendly home. In times of growing concern for the environment and fluctuating energy prices others are becoming aware as well. Green trends are quickly becoming mainstream. Don't believe me? Check recent issues of Outside Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Glamour, Town and Country, Country Home, Domino, or Shape. Each of these mainstream publications are taking time to focus on green trends.

Pamela Fiore, Editor of Town and Country Magazine put it best when explaining her reason for her magazine's recent green issue: "We felt we could make a big difference, because a lot of times, it's the people who are upper-income who have the opportunity to vote with their pocketbooks and help make some of these products more generally available. [Our readers] want to do the right thing, but they maybe just don't know the way to go about it."

With the help of the mainstream media, and as word spreads on the benefits of the Sage NZEH home, people are becoming more aware of why, how, and where to 'do the right thing'. But, will there be enough supply to meet this demand? Looks like it--the Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report suggests that "by 2010 the majority of the builders will be building green".  The study performed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and McGraw-Hill Construction illustrates that dramatic increases in green building practices in recent years.

Such revelations point to a future where this Sage home, while still special, will not be so unique. I'm sure the folks at Sage and Solar Night will agree that this is a good thing.

...now green up your act!

More on the Sage home tomorrow...get out and enjoy today!

Great Teamwork in the Modern Energy World

Jason Loyet, President of Solar Night Industries, noticed that in the modern energy world many customers were waiting around for trained professionals to install the solar and/or wind energy systems they had already purchased. He dubbed this bottleneck a problem with the "last mile". When Loyet set up VETSS Inc. to solve the "last mile" problems it is safe to say he imagined it to go as smoothly as it did at the Sage NZEH home. The install was organized by VETSS Inc., performed by Bauer Power, and helped along by Bates Electric who worked as a consultant through the completion of the project. (Pictured above: Bauer Power team of Mark and Tony along with the Bates Electric team of Tim Parks and Nick Thomas--Nick just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq while serving with the Army. Our very own Charlie Boyd of VETSS is in the middle.)

The installation lasted four days and was completely installed in time for the National Green Building Conference and the USGBC Tour of Green Homes. As the tour passed through the Sage home Sunday the Solar Night Industries display table was stripped clean of all of its literature. Even a few installation manuals that were for display purposes only, found a new home with an eager builder. Such enthusiasm further illustrates the growing interest in and need for modern energy solutions (and the need for extra hand-outs...and better labels for 'dispaly only' material).

Ben Hanewinkel, Vice President of Sales at Solar Night Industries informed me earlier today that our friends at "Bauer Power used ingenuity to place the panels on the roof for most efficient production and to avoid shading issues".

Ingenuity, teamwork, and enthusiasm for renewable energy? Seems like we've got every mile covered!

You know the drill--check back for more renewable bloggergy...

Bus-Loads o' Fun!

Information packets, business cards, and flyers were at a premium today when three bus-loads of the National Green Building Conference attendees took turns touring the impressive Sage NZEH home.

"I thought it went great!" exclaimed Rick Hunter, Managing Partner at Sage Homebuilders.

"I'd say there were between 300 and 400 people today," said Alan Brani, Sales Engineer at Solar Night Industries Inc. "I ran out of business cards after the second bus!"

Brani was confronted by numerous builders who were interested in renewable energy site assessments. A site assessment performed by Solar Night Industries will determine whether or not your new or existing structure would benefit from the use of solar or wind energy. It is also an opportunity for the professionals at Solar Night to share with the builder or homeowner some tips on what they can do to reduce their energy consumption to help optimize their renewable energy system.

Many people show interest in modern energy, the important step is getting the site assessment. Once interested parties get the assessment they tend to become much more knowledgeable and, therefore more excited, to begin the installation process.

If you're interested in taking a step prior to getting your own site assessment, assess an existing site to learn first-hand the benefits of producing your own energy. Upon completion, the Sage NZEH home will be open for various group events, tours, and other educational opportunities, prior to being sold. Those with an interest in seeing the house or scheduling an event there can get more information at the Sage Homebuilders website: www.sagestl.com. The home will be for sale in May 2007.

But remember to follow up that tour with your own renewable energy site assessment. Solar Night Industries is here for you. That's Solar Night Industries Inc., www.solarnightindustries.com, 877-826-1991, or 314-256-9833 in case you were on the third bus and were unable to get Alan's card...he was just trying to conserve paper:).

Have a great Sunday! Blog to ya tomorrow...

Got Your Panels On?

In this picture from Wednesday, March 21, we see our installers hard at work attaching a portion of the 4kW solar system to the roof of the Sage NZEH home. Is that Solar Night Industries' very own Alan Brani up there to the left of the panels?

...Sure is!

x

x

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On Friday, March 23rd all of the panels are in position. And, like a life-long beach bum, ready to spend the rest of their days just soaking in the sun.

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...Oh, and turning the "soaked in" sun into electricity (see "photovoltaic effect").

Beach bums can't do that...yet, anyway.

The National Green Builders Conference begins Sunday (and runs through Tuesday) here in St. Louis...

Rest in Pieces

A eulogy for our dear friend--'that one tree that was partially blocking our 4kW solar system at the Sage NZEH home',

You are a hero in death as you were in life. In life you gave us oxygen, shade, shelter for the creatures of the area, and absorbed approximately 48 lbs of CO2 per year. In death you give us bountiful soil (see 'Timber!' post), and maximum sunlight for a solar home that will save approximately 3.58 tons of CO2 per year from heading into our fragile atmosphere! You, 'that one tree that was partially blocking our 4kW solar system at the Sage NZEH home' are a hero. My hero. And when I head to the NZEH home tomorrow morning to take some photos (check back soon for those) I will spill a little coffee on the soil in your memory.

Rest in pieces old friend...

Good Press for Great Energy

I enjoy surfing but I'm pretty specific about where I do it. When it comes to actual surfing, I only surf in the ocean--no lakes or babbling brooks for me. And when I surf the web I'll stick to my e-mail, a little bit of world news, some sports news, and a whole array of environmental sites to stay up on the latest good news.

Well today's web-surfing was a day at the beach! Check out all the good press our great company is getting:

There's this release on marketwire.com

...or this post on Alternative Energy Resource

...and this one on EasyMyHome.com--just make sure to skip the post on Genie Schultz and her 28 Golden Shepherds

...this site has a great name americanspeedfreak.com and a great post

...energywire.net is also giving us some e-lip service

...and finally(?) this one, on one of my favorite 'green' sites, Renewable Energy Access .

Public interest is rising like water at high tide--should make for some great waves!

Hang loose and stay connected...

Timber!!!

Sage is showing their green prowess and know-how once again! In order to maximize the effectiveness of a (4kw) residential solar panel, you must make sure there is sufficient sunlight. In that vein solar panels typically face south to maximize exposure to the sun. You also want to avoid "shading"--when a tree blocks the sun's rays for part or all of the day.

At the Sage NZEH (I'm not explaining it again!), there was an issue with shading and, are you sitting(?), a tree had to be downed. (pause for collective gasp...) But fear not--Rick Hunter and his crew at Sage to the rescue! I asked Rick what will become of said tree. Surely, a top notch green builder like Sage wouldn't simply discard one of Mother Nature's most precious resources. Rick was quick to explain that this tree and the few others that needed to be downed in order to clear space for construction would be chipped and used as a soil amendment. Now, I pride myself on my green knowledge so instead of admitting I did not know what a wood chip soil amendment was I looked it up. Here's what I found:

A soil amendment is any material added to a soil to improve its physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration and structure. The goal is to provide a better environment for roots.

Well done to you Rick, and your colleagues at Sage! If we want more green we need healthy soil, and it sounds to me that this amendment will do the trick. And the folks at Solar Night would like to thank you for maximizing the productivity of our  4kW solar system.

Crisis averted. Our treehuggers out there might want to give soil hugging a try after reading this post...

...or atleast a dirty little smooch.

stay tuned...

What's That on Your Roof Mr. Jones?

The Sage NZEH (Near Zero Energy Home--for those of you who are not yet Solar Night blog groupies) will look very similar to your common NWC2ZEH (No Where Close to a Zero Energy Home--for those of you who aren't me). Put the two very different houses side by side and they are tough to compare. You can't see toxic paint fumes (or lack there of). You can't see geothermal plumbing, or insulation, or radiant heat blocking house wrap. And you probably won't be able to tell that the counter top you just spilled your root beer on is made from recycled glass. The fact is the average observer won't be able to see a single difference (unless the NZEH home owner decides to nail his or her utility bill to the garage door--but that's just showing off). That is, until they cast their eyes roof-ward and notice (in the case of the Sage home) the custom made, 4kw, solar array basking in the same sunlight that it is currently collecting to power said home.

It's a visual aid like this that helps in our competitive, keep-up-with-the-Joneses society. And I'm here to share with you a little secret...

...THE JONESES JUST WENT SOLAR!

Americans want a house that works for them. We want consistent energy bills, protection from outages, and a cleaner environment. Solar power provides the home owner with all three. With current solar technology and local availability it just makes sense. And over time it will make even more sense. And over time it will make even more cents. And over time it will make even less scents (decreased smog smell--just having a little fun with homophones). In the US in 2006 solar energy production increased 33%. There are a lot of Joneses out there...

...try to keep up!

Stay tuned for the mind boggling benefits of solar energy--and updates from the Sage home...

A Bright, Sunny Future for St. Louis's Newest Residential Solar System

Sage's near-zero energy home (NZEH), sponsored by Owens Corning, is under construction at 29 Beacon Hill Lane in Creve Coeur, Missouri and is expected to be completed late this spring. The home is the showcase home of the National Green Builders Conference which will be held here in St. Louis from March 26-28.

With a laundry list of "green" features, from non-off-gassing paint and adhesives, to geothermal heating and cooling, the 3,700 sq. foot home is able to earn the NZEH title because the majority of the energy used by the home will be supplied by the 4kw solar system from Solar Night Industries.

A 4kw system has the ability to produce approximately 5900 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or about 500 kWh a month (figures based on regional historic sun radiation mapping provided by RETscreen). This amount is less than the average home consumes, but with the help of energy efficient appliances, radiant heat blocking house wrap, and Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) for the walls, very little energy produced will go to waste. Also, a home like this one, with the extremely efficient geothermal heating and cooling system, will consume much less energy than a home with a standard forced-air system. These components team up to create the NZ and E in this H.

Gridpoint supplies the battery backup in this solar unit. This back up system protects against outages, during which it offers 900-1000 amp hours of clean energy while powering your sump pump, lighting, refrigerator, geothemal unit, and more! And the entire system, from the panels on the roof to the battery back up is installed through VETSS using a NABSEP certified crew with over 25 years of solar experience.

With the technology and know-how available now to create effective energy producing, residential solar systems, it seems foolish not to take advantage of all that these systems have to offer. Advantages like: consistent energy bills, back-up protection against outages, increased savings over time, less of an impact on climate change, and an opportunity to pioneer the growing global energy market.

You can either choose to lead or follow--but chances are, you will eventually be a part of the renewable energy revolution.

And Solar Night Industries is at your service!

Stay tuned for more entries on the progress of the 4kw home in Creve Coeur. As well as, more information on the benefits (monetary, environmental, and more) of solar energy...

View Sage Home National Press Release