Romanian non-profit green-tech firm Justin Capra Foundation for Sustainable Technologies and Inventions (or FITS), has unveiled the Soleta zeroEnergy range of sustainable off-grid homes. The flexible dwellings are available in several shapes and sizes, and combine rustic modular design with the proverbial kitchen sink of energy saving and producing technologies.
The Soleta zeroEnergy range comprises several homes, ranging from a small unit with just 48 square-meters (516 sq ft) usable floor space (plus attic), up to a relatively sizable model suitable for a family of five, with a main area floor space of 100 square-meters. Clever space-saving storage solutions will help make the most of available space.
While the name may imply that these homes have no energy needs, they've actually been designed to utilize renewable energy sources to allow residents to jump feet-first into the off-grid lifestyle. If that sounds a bit too adventurous, modern amenities like running water and electricity can be hooked-up if desired.
Depending on need and budget, each zeroEnergy home can incorporate a geothermal water heating system, wind power, solar power, and water collection. Large low-e windows and LED lighting feature throughout, and a pellet-burning stove is also available for cooler climes. A computer monitoring system helps keep everything in check.
The houses are reportedly manufactured from 97 percent recycled materials, with wood being the primary material of choice. Each unit is modular, and so if space does eventually become an issue, an extra section should be relatively simple to add. The homes can be built on either wooden foundations, or existing concrete foundations at lower cost.
The Soleta zeroEnergy range of homes are by no means the only viable fully off-grid abodes we’ve covered here at Gizmag, and Studio H:T’s effort springs to mind as an appealing alternative.
The range starts at €25,000 (roughly US$32,000) for the smallest zeroEnergy One, with the larger zeroEnergy Two unit commanding a cool €57,000. A ten-year warranty is included with the sale, and FITS is currently exhibiting a show house outside the US embassy in Bucharest, Romania.
Source: Soleta (in Romanian, but a company rep informed us that English-language content will be added soon)
There is a growing trend here in the USA for small homes. I think this would fit perfectly in with that trend (the smaller one anyway). :)
I admit, I don't love the floorplan, but it's a good idea, easy to produce, and reasonably practical without the pretense of some of these projects. It's a good start, at least, and probably a great house for a lot of people.
Also, I think many of those of us with a mind for future generations would love to cut down on casket burials (and have planned something else for ourselves), but the energy required to dig up several feet of concrete (what, you think they just put dirt on top?) makes it so modern cemeteries are unlikely to see reuse for the next several hundred years.
Don't let govt. control you. Move to a region where you are free to pursue your dream. Or find a way around the control. Never assume people have a right to tell you how to live "for your own good" or the "common good". Resistance is not futile. It is essential to being human.