Posted 07.14.08
Builders Open Doors Of Solar-Powered House To Community
Reported by: Sarah Hopkins
NBC25 – www.your4state.com

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Friday, Jul 11, 2008 @07:21pm EST

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV - A house that's powered almost entirely by renewable energy doesn't look much different from the other houses on the block.

It's a first for the four-state region, and on Saturday the builders are holding a public open house.

Using the sun and the wind the house makes eighty percent of its own power. It's the first of its kind in Morgan County, if not the entire state of West Virginia. And it's not just for the Jetsons.

"What excites me is that we have a house that basically looks like a normal house that isn't high-tech or new age or doesn't look like some people's idea of a solar house. It's just a house,” said Pete McKechnie of Mountain View Builders.

The owners of Mountain View Builders were struck by the building after seeing it at an expo in Washington, D.C., that's when they decided they had to bring it back to Berkeley Springs.

The home is eco friendly even right down to the deck. The material is made from old recycled plastics including milk jugs, soda bottles and plastic bags.

The house is positioned so the solar panels face south for maximum sun exposure. There are two sets: one for heating hot water and one that turns sunlight into electricity.

McKechnie added, “It works in America, and it works right here in West Virginia and in the quad-state area. And it works well.”

Wind power is made by a turbine. The energy can be stored for days. If the house makes too much, it goes back through the grid to power a neighbor's house. And the sharing house will get a credit from the utility company.

“People in America rent energy. What we're showing them is a way they can buy energy,” McKechnie said.

The start-up costs for renewable energy are $50,000 higher, but at today's energy costs, the builders say it's an investment that will pay for itself in as little as 10 to 18 years.

Tour the Solar House and learn about all of the various renewable energy technologies (including solar PV, solar hot water, and wind power) and green building techniques employed at the solar house. Meet the vendors, subcontractors, and Mountain View employees whose products, services, and labor played pivotal roles in building the solar house. Food will be provided by Lot 12 Public House.