Solar Decathlon

Although they are not tiny homes, they are small homes and if they are working correctly, they are net energy producers.

http://www.solardecathlon.org/

I saw this quote almost fits the basic idea of progressive energy:

"Conceived as a free-standing solar-powered dwelling, the house incorporates multiple-zones, passive strategies, and efficiently designed active systems, enabling individuals to balance need for comfort and control while reducing total energy consumption. The Interlock house generates enough energy to meet its own needs, and is capable of directing any surplus into the existing grid, making it effectively a net-producer of energy."

"In addition to creating new energy-efficient housing options within existing communities, the house will demonstrate applications of new materials and practices in residential construction in ways which use less energy, create less waste, and nurture development of local enterprise. Some of these materials and practices have existed for years but have yet to be widely adopted, while others, such as material applications of agricultural waste and biocomposites are currently being developed at Iowa State."

http://www.solard.iastate.edu/project/

But, It like lacks the full depth of the idea. Yes, the use of agricultural waste is recycling, but they did not state the level of what is recycled and what level can be recycled, and how to recycle the parts. In other word, they need to "qualifyquantify" it. I wonder how, much can be recycle in a building? Even if the product has done things like dry rot.

I will have to write more some other time (I have not seen but this one entry).

Grand Plan

I currently live in an apartment built in the 1970's. Although the electric bill is about $100 for about 600 sq ft. and rent (with water bill) is about $500 / month, I find these numbers are not sustainable economically with my $800 /month minimum wage part time income. I am limited to a small amount of sunlight on my three 15 W solar panels. It takes days to charge them. So, I have to pay for the use of all of the power monthly -- I can not own it.

A friend of mine in NTEAA built a tiny house and has got me wanting one for the low cost and the low cost of living. I googled around and found a few cool web sites and blogs which talked about tiny houses.

http:/www.nteaa.org (North Texas Electric Auto Association)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbarkley/sets/ (see the "Moving to Texas - Sorta!")

Yes, a tiny house is small. But, we all can get use to it if 3/4 of our pay goes to housing cost -- rent and electricity -- and the remainder going to food, gas, and car insurance. Notice I did not say anything about savings and health insurance -- the reason the economics is not sustainable.

Here is the general plan:

Build a house which can generate more power than it uses. I will be using solar for the most part.
Build or buy an electric car, truck, or van which can be powered by the extra house power.
Install a rainwater collection system as to reduce the need for water and to lower the water bill.
Find a small lot for the home and stop moving around.

If I meet a woman in this time frame, some "change in plans" are required, but this plan still holds to any size place she can afford with me. If you look at the list of bills that I pay, I would have all, but food and car insurance, but then I can add health insurance and start to save money. Oh, as for debt, that is another can of worms.

What is it?

I am starting this Blog with a definition because I know that I am using a term that is uncommon. So, here we go.

Progressive Energy is a way to describe producing more energy than you consume using renewable sources and high energy efficiency. And which, are high performance, sustainable, economical, and can be mass produced. Notice that I did not use the term green. I find that term a bit misleading. For example, someone might call using wood to build a house "green" because it is renewable, but it also depends on what type of wood and how was it grown and even how it was cut and used.

I view it as a way to "pursue happiness" when it comes to the impact that we do on the surface of the planet. I don't feel that we should have everything like the old days nor do I feel like every thing must change for change sake. But, there has to be some reason behind the action that we do and we must reason it out fully. I also feel there needs to have good science basis for arguments for our actions.