Spotlight Article:
A New Guide for Solar Plan Reviewers, Code Inspectors, and Installers
When an industry grows as fast as solar, it can be challenging for consumers, contractors, and code officials to be in lockstep on the path to a successful installation—from plan review to inspection ...
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A New Guide for Solar Plan Reviewers, Code Inspectors, and Installers
WEB ONLY
When an industry grows as fast as solar, it can be challenging for consumers, contractors, and code officials to be in lockstep on the path to a successful installation—from plan review to inspection ... [continue reading]
A Net Zero Energy Home Grows Up: Lessons and Puzzles from Ten Years of Data
In 2005, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver teamed up with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to design and build a net zero energy (NZE) home in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. A main goal of the ... [continue reading]
Another Solar Myth Bites the Dust
WEB ONLY
Way back in 1978, I installed my first solar water-heating system. I continued with solar thermal, installing new systems until tax credits expired in 1986, and I kept nearly all the local systems up and running for ... [continue reading]
Why Don't We Build Better Houses?
WEB ONLY
Did you know that the solar house was a popular concept in the 1940s, and that architects like Fred Keck, an American modernist architect based in Chicago, Illinois, could save their clients 30–40% on heating ... [continue reading]
ScanTheSun: A Tool for Solar-Panel Users
WEB ONLY
In the ideal case of an individual installation, solar panels are mounted on the southern pitch of a roof of buildings with high insolation. (See “Vocabulary” for the definition of insolation and a ... [continue reading]
A Proposal for Expanded International Collaboration
We can all benefit from the sharing of knowledge across the construction industries and among countries [continue reading]
Communities Discover Energy Independence
WEB ONLY
Many residents today are looking for freedom from mounting electric bills and a way to help the environment. With Standard Solar, they can cut their electric expenses to a fraction of what they once were ... [continue reading]
Building Performance Journal Editors
Our Blog Has Moved
Thanks for your interest in contributing a blog to the Building Performance Journal (formerly Home Energy magazine). We’re ...
Jim Gunshinan
Is Energy Efficiency an American Value?
Energy efficiency is good for the economy, good for families, good for workers, and good for the environment.
