OCT 16

What would it cost with today's prices for this home?

Surely some economics played into the score... will check that out at the links...

Cheers,
Doc

Surely some economics played into the score... will check that out at the links...

Not really. One of the reasons the German entry was covered in solar panels is that the contest awarded an overwelming amount of extra points for energy produced above that used in the house. So, it pretty much came down to who could generate the most electricity, regardless of cost.

I'm wondering what the "urban heat island effect" of such a black box is. I can image the whole could cause quite an extreme micro climate.. Any papers on this regarding PV use?

I am also wondering how much those solar tiles cost. There is a correlation between the price of the tiles and the amount of energy used to create them. Great that they are energy positive with this design. The next step of course is to try to do that in an affordable way. If the price were right I would want one of these right away!
-m

Kudos to the German team for their innovative and sleek design. The EU in general always seems to be step ahead of us in the US with regards to climate change and energy efficiency initiatives.

As mentioned before, price is going to be a huge deterrent from mainstream adoption of totally energy-independent homes, however, if the square footage is substantially less (which any green home should be if it's truly going to have a lower impact), than the value may be comparable to some current market values within affordable ranges....let's start building and see what happens!

It's great that people are investing in the promotion of alternative sources of electricity. Not only are we able to tell everyone about the condition of the planet. We're also able to compete and have fun. Kudos Germany!

Germany is rising again out of the ashes of defeat at the hands of the English and their friends. This time we will not be beaten.

I like the solar panels Germany used. We have got to get the cost down. The more companies that make them the better. If Utility companys helped subsidize the home improvement. Where all the money made by selling energy back to the grid would repay the utility company I think this new technology would catch on fast. But we have got to improve the design and manufacturing process to lower cost. Build the green communities first then connect them to a national grid if needed. But if the communities are generating electricity why is a National grid needed? One may be needed down the road IMO but to build it first is like pulling the cart before the horse. People will have to relocate close to it or not develop their buisness or home. If Green communities are established they could connect to green buisness districts last mile smart cables would be cheaper and more cost effective if States knew the upfront cost for bonds and where they were going to be connected. The East coast from Boston to N.Y. has started. Check out Beacon Power Flywheel technology. If a national energy grid is needed it will have to be re-thought out due to the fact that municipalities all over the country are starting their own projects so a national grid would stop and start and zig zag or take ten years to build. If we can generate our own electricity the new national green energy grid would be welcomed by a green wired local green energy community.

At first, I was surprised that it produces 11 kW of electricity and uses *half* of it? 5.5 kW is a ton of power. However, I then realized that if we consider that the average power production from the house is about 1/3-1/4 of that due to night time and clouds, perhaps it is more reasonable. Using half of 2.6 kW -3 kW continuously seems a little high for a hyper-efficient house, but plausible.