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Wisconsin Passive House at Center of Co-Op Solar Dispute
Wisconsin Passive House at Center of Co-Op Solar Dispute
The Midwest offers a vivid illustration of the nationwide net metering conflict.
Midwest Energy News, Dan Haugen
September 30, 2013
Gary Konkol’s home produces more energy than it consumes, but his energy bill is about to go up.
Konkol is one of just eleven customers of Wisconsin’s St. Croix Electric Cooperative who own solar electric panels on their home.
A new policy that took effect in May means those homeowners will see much lower payments for the extra electricity they generate on sunny days.
...
The Passive House in the Woods
In 2010, Konkol built what may be the most energy-efficient home in the Midwest. St. Croix Electric Cooperative actually sponsored the construction, waiving a standard $2,000 new hookup fee for the passive house, which attracted local and national media coverage.
The 2,000-square-foot, two-story walkout just outside of Hudson, Wisconsin features thick insulation, high-performance windows and no furnace whatsoever. A single solar thermal panel and a 4.52-kilowatt photovoltaic system produce all the energy the home needs -- and then some.
Under the policy in place...
The Midwest offers a vivid illustration of the nationwide net metering conflict.
Midwest Energy News, Dan Haugen
September 30, 2013
Gary Konkol’s home produces more energy than it consumes, but his energy bill is about to go up.
Konkol is one of just eleven customers of Wisconsin’s St. Croix Electric Cooperative who own solar electric panels on their home.
A new policy that took effect in May means those homeowners will see much lower payments for the extra electricity they generate on sunny days.
...
The Passive House in the Woods
In 2010, Konkol built what may be the most energy-efficient home in the Midwest. St. Croix Electric Cooperative actually sponsored the construction, waiving a standard $2,000 new hookup fee for the passive house, which attracted local and national media coverage.
The 2,000-square-foot, two-story walkout just outside of Hudson, Wisconsin features thick insulation, high-performance windows and no furnace whatsoever. A single solar thermal panel and a 4.52-kilowatt photovoltaic system produce all the energy the home needs -- and then some.
Under the policy in place...
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/wisconsin-passive-house-at-center-of-co-op-solar-dispute
