As of June, 2017, the alternative energy market remains incentive driven. Tax credits, accelerated depreciation, rebates, waivers, in-lieu payments or whatever other incentives are offered by various government or government mandated utilities. Today, incentives are THE deciding factor in alternative energy economics.

California’s building and energy code requirements will require net zero construction, beginning in 2020. Can new systems in glazing, insulation, micro-HVAC, LED lighting, combined with solar hot water and photovoltaic systems meet California’s 2020 Code, today?

Building magazines of every stripe present ever evolving building systems and the science behind those systems. New materials and techniques push the envelope of possibilities. Are building systems in place that would enable market rate, private sector development of affordable housing given these standards? The analytic would be 8% return on investment, given a fair wage for workers.

The question is put to test is as follows:

Is it possible to develop market rate affordable housing given California’s 2020 building standards?

The test is in the doing.

Jeff Morrow has a collection of “legacy” solar thermal equipment, much of it still in the box. These systems are remainders of Jeff’s 5 years with Solar Heat Exchange Manufacturing and the Simple Drainback Solar Hot Water System. Jeff understands solar equipment, what it can do, how to install for convenience in operation and maintenance.

The WIP tab features three projects: Mt. Shasta, the Morrow Ranch, and Downtown Redding.

The goal of the blog on this site is to archive progress on these projects in terms of percentage of completion and cost of components. An accurate accounting accompanied by validated operational characteristics will support the goal of publishing results.