America’s First Net-Zero Neighborhood Under Construction

Boulder, Colorado is set to build the nation’s first completely solar-powered net-zero neighborhood. The small 1.5-acre community will be constructed to LEED Platinum standards and conveniently located near a market and other essential services.  It’s even set to up on a bus line for easy access to the city proper. The neighborhood and its designers hope to set an example for future communities and take steps to bring eco-friendly housing to the masses.

The project is called Springleaf Boulder. The homes were designed by architect George Watt to maximize passive solar heating, and Silver Lining Builders are handling their construction. Each home will use nontoxic paints, tight insulation, geothermal heating and cooling, recycled countertops and bamboo cabinets, among other green features. Every system or appliance in the home will be electric so that photovoltaic panels can provide all necessary power.

The Springleaf model home, one of 12 homes to be built, is now complete. In the end, there will be six town homes bordering Broadway Street in northern Boulder. Behind those six single-family homes will be a small community park. The model was built for about $300 per square foot, but the rest of the homes, said the project developers, will cost roughly $200 per square foot to build. The home sizes vary between 2,800 and 4,000 square feet, with the larger end reserved for the single-family dwellings.

Even at $200 per square foot, the homes will cost up to $800,000 just to build, which makes them far from ready for the masses. Nonetheless, Springleaf Boulder will be the first of its kind and valuable in more ways than money can count. Hopefully, Springleaf will set a precedent, demonstrating the viability and success of net-zero living. In other words, developers hope that the first net-zero neighborhood will be a springboard for eco communities to come.

Via Inhabitat

Photo Credit: Spring Leaf

Posted on December 10th in Solar News by Dan.