Metro®Boston, Publication Date: June 8, 2011
By Attorney George Warshaw
Is it possible to live for free, where the cost of heating, air conditioning and the power to run every appliance is generated by the home?
“Net Zero” refers to an energy sufficient structure in which the annual energy cost to operate the house or condo is produced by the home’s own mini power plant.
With a solar home, NetZero is reached by “banking” excess electricity generated by the solar panels with the electric company as a credit. The credit pays for electricity drawn from the power company in periods of intensive usage.
To reach NetZero efficiency, the amount of energy you bank annually approximately equals the amount you draw.
I toured a 13 unit NetZero condo project under construction in Concord, Massachusetts – the “Concord Riverwalk.” Each condominium is built as a self-contained cottage style structure with its own solar power plant. Owners share gardens, walkways, garage parking and other common areas.
Each house generates energy through solar panels installed on the south side of the roof, and saves energy through “green” construction techniques that eliminate air infiltration and seepage, i.e. energy loss.
Contact Steve Weikal (617-596-2777, steve@concordriverwalk.com) for more info.
Next week, the economics of solar – get cash back and credits from a number of sources.
© 2011 George Warshaw. All rights reserved.
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George Warshaw is a real estate attorney and author. He represents buyers and sellers of homes and condos in Massachusetts, and prepares wills, trusts, and estate plans. George welcomes new clients and questions at george.warshaw@warshawlaw.com.
Legal Advice: Laws, and court decisions interpreting them, change frequently and this article is not updated as laws change. The content and information contained in this article is neither intended as legal advice nor shall establish an attorney-client relationship. Before making any legal decision, consult an attorney to see how the foregoing may apply to your circumstances.
If you missed my column in the Wednesday Boston®Metro newspaper you can read it here! And contact me if you need help in buying or selling your home or in planning your will. - George
George in the Metro 
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