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Energy-producing and energy-plus buildings

Energy-producing buildings and energy-plus buildings, etc. are defined in many different ways.

Generally, these buildings are able to produce energy for household electricity. In some cases, they produce enough energy in the summer time to enable their owners to sell surplus energy to an energy company and buy back energy in the winter time.

This is typically made possible by a high insulation standard and an innovative building design combined with renewable energy sources such as solar panels.

Carbon neutral heating - how large a photo voltiac panel is needed?

Energy plus buildings Source: Ellehauge & Kildemoes

Insulation makes renewable energy worthwhile. A 20 m2 photo voltaic panel at a total cost of € 12,000, and the heating of a well-insulated Passive House in Denmark becomes zero net energy. An average, poorly insulated, home of 150 m2 will need a panel 11 times larger, 232 m2, at a system cost of more than € 100,000. If the entire electricity demand should also become carbon neutral, the solar panels would need even more space. Also in countries with more sun hours, insulation reduces heating and cooling needs.

How to make a difference with insulation

Save CO2 and energy. Create jobs and prosperity.

See the climate video "The low hanging fruit"