Category: Renewable Elements

While "Net Zero Energy" is a seemingly simple concept, in reality calculating the energy balance of a building requires complex accounting. Photovoltaic panels produce most of their electricity during summer days, while buildings consume energy all the time, especially during cold nights. The Passive House Institute (PHI) takes Net Zero to the next level by accounting for energy storage requirements and making sure that wasteful buildings can't simply add huge PV arrays to claim "Net…