Electrifying our homes, lives, and businesses is one of the most effective strategies to wean ourselves off fossil fuels, as we add more renewable energy to the electric grid. But do we have the capacity to produce, transport, and use the increase in renewable electricity that will result? Spoiler alert — the answer is yes – if.

Although the price of solar panels has plunged in recent years, they are still the most expensive element of a zero energy home. It’s okay to defer installing panels until the time is right. Here’s how to plan your zero energy ready home so it’s ready for solar when you are.

This question is becoming more common as we begin to move past zero energy homes into the realm of positive energy. Homes can do more than power themselves. They can also put a huge dent in the energy use and carbon emissions from our personal transportation.

This middle-class family disconnected from fossil methane and saved money. See their step-by-step approach to powering their home and car with renewable energy.

Swimming pools are great fun, but they have high running costs and a high carbon footprint. David Green cut both. Now his pool running cost is zero and so is its carbon footprint.

For most people, developing a vacation rental would be about profit. For these two Washington state couples, it was about much more. Oh, and the profit is there too.

Jim Smith, of Golden Real Estate, does more than sell energy efficient homes. He has demonstrated his commitment to clean energy practices in his real estate business by transforming his office building into a positive energy showcase. And he’s not done yet.

Sports arenas around the world are joining the zero energy wave. Your next game could be carbon-neutral. If football stadia can become zero energy, shouldn’t the homes we build be zero energy too?

Uncertainty around net metering is hampering the growth of solar electric installations in certain parts of the country. Net metering is an arrangement that permits owners of solar electric systems to bank their excess power with the local utility company. Consumers redeem these energy credits when they use more power than they produce. Net metering […]