• 168 sq ft of Ametek solar panels, with 480 gallons of DHW (domestic hot water) storage..
• (2) mass wall greenhouse areas for space heating. About 290 cubic ft of vertical concrete was used.
• 100 sq ft PV panels, with 4KW Trace inverter and (4) Trojan L-16 batteries; installed 1990.

• (2) T-2000 Thompson stoves, thermostatically controlled.
• 1 double tier radiator running off solar tank for north side heating. .
• Warm window quilt on north glass.
• Enclosed north entry.
• Clothes line; no dryer.
• No dishwasher
• No TV.
• A hydronic loop extends from the hot water tank under the driveway, and is used for melting snow.

• No conventional space heat.
• 90% efficient gas boiler installed in 1998 for snow melt. This also provides DHW backup. Prior to 1998 DHW backup was by coil in wood stove flue.

We average 2 cords of wood per year since 1980 for space heat. Average electricity supplied by the utility is 145 KWh/ month = $12/ month. Batteries last for 7 years.

Our original motivation was based on economic, as well as environmental considerations. Our house faced due south, and there was no tree cover on that side. We built all of our own equipment at first, including the solar panels and wood stoves. This actively evolved into an academic major at Sierra Nevada College, and we became leaders in the field of small scale application of renewable resources. We had two Federal grants for the Thompson stove and built electric cars as well as several passive solar buildings.

Aside from having to move wood, our house now functions with very little attention. Once a month I check the batter water. Each two months we need to add some water and do a 5 hour equalizing charge. The system functions as a total uninterruptible power supply. The DHW fluid is changed every 5 years or so. Our gas bill for snow melt and DHW backup is expected to average $120/ year. Wood costs $300/ year, and electricity $150, for a total of $570/ year.

The heating collecting greenhouse is an especially nice living space, attached as it is to the living room. We integrated our solar thermal collectors on top of the already glassed walls of this area, to make a coherent design from the whole concept.

A building belonging to Sierra Nevada College is just across the street from our house. This has been built with recycled, south facing windows, and a stair well, whose concrete walls act as a heat collecting Trombe wall. This is especially effective in the winter, and is responsible for a substantial portion of the heating load of that building. You are encouraged to walk across the street to see how this kind of design can be incorporated into normal architecture

In Incline Village, on Tahoe Blvd (route 28), take Village Blvd up the hill (east). Turn left on the second road past the high school, College Road. The second street is Lucille. Park immediately. We’re on the corner.