Solar Verde Estates Zero Energy with
100% Solar Power That Pays You Back
2008-08-14 10:21:59 -
The Midwest's first all Zero Energy Community called Solar Verde Estates Offers a Roof-top Photovoltaic System as a B asic Design Feature. Chicago, IL- Schmidt & Associates Inc. has completed the first two ' Zero Energy Green Homes' located at 9560 and 9562 South Marquette in Chicago. It is the Midwest's first all Zero Energy Community called Solar Verde Estates and the first development east of the Rocky Mountains to offer a roof-top photovoltaic system as a basic design feature.
Solar Verde is a planned community of 20 green homes in the southeast section of the City . The two completed show models the Minnesotan and the Californian each are two-story, 1595 square feet, with three bedrooms, 2-½ baths and a full basement. The homes are available with three different facades or with a custom facade design. Not only are the homes Zero Energy, but these homes are affordable too at $339,000.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM PAYS OWNERS BACK
The unique feature about these homes is the 4-kW solar photovoltaic integrated roofing system, provided by Pure Energy Alternatives of Northbrook, Illinois and manufactured by Open Energy Corp. of Grass Valley, California. This system is expected to provide all the power and energy that the home will need for a typical family. This system does not consist of high maintenance batteries but rather relies on the Illinois mandated 'net metering' agreement that feeds excess energy back to Common wealth Edison for credits and allows the homeowner to bank this energy for later use. Energy is produced during daylight, banked with the utility company for credits and used when the sun is not shining.
The size of the system is such that it allows the homeowner to benefit from a net zero electric bills during a one-year period. In addition, the photovoltaic system is expected to reduce source emissions by avoiding 41.82 pounds (lbs) of SO2, 30.05 lbs of NOx and more than 11,459 lbs of CO2. Using 2003 USEPA estimates for Greenhouse Gases-10,427 lbs of GHG are being avoided from release into the atmosphere do to the on-site photovoltaic system alone.
GREEN FEATURES GALORE
Other unique features of these homes are their energy efficient EPS (Extruded Polystyrene) exterior wall system. This is a prefabricated custom-made wall system provided by Techbuilt of Cleveland, Ohio. Made of 95%-recycled material (plastic and steel) these walls provide an R-40 exterior wall. Along with the R-50 cellulose attic insulation and 0.29 U-value rated Republic windows, this reduces the heating and cooling needs of the home by an estimated 50%. The homes are heated and cooled by an electric 45,000 BTU Carrier heat pump.
The all-electric homes are served by an instantaneous hot water heater the size of a brief case. In addition, each home comes with all ENERGY STAR appliances by Frigidare and a second floor stack washer and dryer off the main hall helping the home owner reach an Energy Star Rating of 22 percent (%) where an ENERGY STAR qualified home, requires to be approximately 20% more energy efficient than 2004 IRC in the in northern climates requiring a HERS Index of 80%..
The homes include proper window and skylight placement for natural lighting and lighting fixtures with Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL). The floors are finished with bamboo floors and 100% PET carpet manufactured by Beaulieu. Tile is provided by Crossville and is made of 50% recycled content. The countertops are provided by Earthstone of Libertyville, Illinois using recycled plastic laminate. The Minnesotan features countertops with Hi-max 50% recycled solid surface material. No VOC paints, and low flow and double flush toilets are standard in the models. The kitchen and bath cabinetry are provided by Kitchen Village of Arlington Heights, IL. The cabinetry is sourced from Koch & Co of Seneca, Kansas and is built using no added -urea formaldehyde and rapidly renewable wheatboard. The cabinet faces are available in array of finishes and styles using sustainably forested beech wood. . For information contact Schmidt & Associates Inc. at 847-291-7658.
For Photos see: solarverde.com/news/gallery/index.htm
Emissions reduction potential of a grid-connected PV system depends more on the characteristics of the regional electricity system than on the available solar resource. A detailed analysis of historical PV generation, fossil generation, and fossil emissions data for your region will have specific characteristics such as fuel portfolio and demand patterns that determine the magnitude of emission reductions. For this study extensive literature searches provided the basis of our emission reduction calculations.
According to a 2003 USEPA estimate (1.4lbs of CO2 is released in the production of 1 kWh of electricity)
ABOUT KEY PARTNERS AT SOLAR VERDE
Schmidt & Associates Inc.
Schmidt & Associates has been building distinctive custom luxury homes on Chicago's North Shore since 1977-the Schmidt Luxury Homes. Our homes, all in established neighborhoods, are solidly built, using the latest techniques, state of the art engineering, as well as old world craftsmanship.
Bernie Schmidt, the owner and president, is a graduate in Engineering from Northwestern University, and has always had a passion for solar technology. Here at Solar Verde Estates, he finally created the opportunity to show the Midwest that the zero energy home is not only a reality but does not have to sacrifice luxury. And with the help of A Design, we prove that these homes can be architecturally beautiful. For information contact Schmidt & Associates Inc. at 847-291-7658.
A Design Consulting
A Design Consulting is a firm specializing in environmental and energy efficient commercial and residential buildings. It is a full service design-consulting firm committed to providing the development community with specialized design, technical analysis and documentation. Principal, Kelly Jon Andereck, LEED AP is currently focused on the development community and full market penetration of the photovaltaic industry. He is senior architect for Atlantis Energy Systems and does extensive work on behalf of Open Energy Corporation and various electric utilities. For more information call or e-mail a design@earthlink.net
Pure Energy Alternatives, LLC
Pure Energy Alternatives is provider of clean energy producing systems. Its mission is to spread the use of solar energy to offset the traditional CO2 producing methods with clean and low maintenance solar photovaltaic energy produced on the end users own site. For more information visit www.pureenergycorp.com or email Bernie@pureenergycorp.com
Alpine Construction Company
Alpine Construction is located in Chicago, Illinois. With more than 20 years of experience in residential and commercial construction Alpine is on the cutting edge of the latest green technology. With statewide contacts and local community involvement, Alpine is able to provide the best product for their clients.
Real Estate Sales for Solar Verde Estates: Coldwell Banker Real Estate--Sandra Guthrie at 847-337-4252
