Ok, those Germans are just showing off now. Not only have they started the shutdown of all the country's nuclear power plants and started the construction of 2,800 miles of transmission lines for their new renewable energy initiative, but now one of their villages is producing 321% more energy than it needs!
This house in Leipzig, Germany designed by Atelier st combines contemporary styling with a degree of energy efficiency that approaches Passive House standards.
H.O.U.S.E, cleverly stands for House Optimizing the Use of Solar Energy, and is the University of Nottingham entry for the Solar Decathlon in Madrid, which starts this Friday.
In contrast with the 14th century roof technology is a host of high tech materials and equipment that helped the Crossway House become the first certified Passive House in England.
The design is a full throated effort to squeeze as much energy out of the sun, but also took great care in using very low embeded energy building materials.
