Project planners broke ground this week on the first net-zero residential community in Wisconsin. The 34 homes in Red Fox Crossing in New Berlin, Wis., will generate enough renewable energy to offset their projected electrical consumption and will range from $450,000 to $650,000.
Developed by Neumann Developments, Inc., the homes will be built by Tim O’Brien Homes Inc., and each solar array will be designed and installed by SunVest Solar, Inc. Floor plans will run from 1,900 square feet for a ranch to 2,200 square feet for a two-story. Each home will include a six to eight kW PV solar array and be certified by the following programs: DOE Net Zero Ready Home, Energy Star V3, WaterSense, IndoorAir Plus.
Madison, Wis.-based Tim O’Brien Homes is known for its focus on energy efficiency and green building practices. In fact, the firm built the first Emerald Certified home following the National Green Building Standard (NGBS). “Red Fox Crossing has the potential to be the turning point in building a more sustainable community and neighborhood in Wisconsin, versus focusing on only one home at a time,” says Tim O’Brien, president of Tim O’Brien Homes. “A more holistic approach to high performance and sustainable communities.”
