PerpetualPlanet

If you’ve been to the Oregon coast at any time between September to August, you know it’s very wet and cloudy. Yes, I do mean September to August! So you would have to be very skeptical if someone told you that there is a residence there that produces as much energy as it owners consumes However, that home is a reality and an inspiration to others like us, looking to build net zero homes outside of the sunbelt.

Designed by Nathan Good, the Cannon Beach Residence uses solar water heating, a 6kw PV array and a ground-source heat pump system to provide for its energy needs. It is expertly insulated, oriented and all electrical loads have been limited to the most efficient devices available.

We took an excellent class in Ecological Architecture at Portland Community College this spring which proved very instructive and introduced us to a talented local green building evangelist and architect. Candace Gossen, the instructor, is working on her PhD dissertation while practicing architecture and teaching new designers like ourselves. On her web site, www.solar783.com, you’ll find a collection of work she admires as well as the syllabus for our course.

The main topics covered were:

• Introduction to alternative materials
• Solar profiles and site analysis
• Solar water heating and hydronic space heating
• Photovoltaics and renewable energy design
• Biological wastewater systems (compost toilets, vermiculture, and living machines)
• Rainwater catchment

During the classes, students worked on their own designs for these components with an eye towards use in their own projects.