Energy independence is a key goal of the Living Building Challenge – projects must generate 105 percent of their own power using renewable sources, and provide onsite storage for system resiliency. It’s called net-positive energy, and it’s a very high bar to reach.
The Loom House on Bainbridge Island is up to the challenge.
The distinctive midcentury-modern home – the first residential remodel set to achieve Living Building certification – will boast an expansive solar array plus cutting-edge battery backup.
A team from Cascadia Solar of Port Townsend was onsite this week, installing a powerful 15kW system against the backdrop of Puget Sound and the distant Seattle skyline.
To optimize solar harvest, project architects Miller Hull and Clark Construction shifted the home’s skylights to the north slope of the roof, leaving the expansive south slope totally open for solar.
The 42 powerful, 365-watt modules will enjoy generous solar exposure from daybreak through the afternoon. An onsite 13kWh, two-battery backup will capture excess production and keep the home humming if the local grid goes down during storms.
Couple the solar component with an ultra-tight building envelope, and you have a formula for comfortable, sustainable living: produce more energy, and use less.
Find out more about the Loom House’s many energy-efficient features here.
