St. Louis based Microgrid Solar is proud to have been chosen as the solar PV installer of a 4.8 kW system on Active House USA. Built by Hibbs Homes and Verdatek Solutions, Active House USA uses state of the art energy efficient materials, design techniques and building practices that rely on renewable resources throughout the design, construction and life of the home.

Nestled in the heart of historic Webster Groves, MO, this green home will become a "prototype for North American homes of its kind and will help further develop green home building specifications to fit North American climate and environmental needs." (ActivehouseUSA.com)

Active houses go beyond the typical green building process, and continue to report the most vital eco information: what happens after residents move in and live there. It is this information that helps define green building specifications in the United States.

The University of Missouri Energy Efficiency Research Consortium and the Active House Alliance will work with the owners of this special home, David and Thuy Smith, to provide anecdotal and statistical metrics to help assist with further research and development of green building standards both in the U.S. and abroad.

Although they were interested in green design, the Smiths wanted a home that would fit in with the surrounding century-old houses of David's childhood neighborhood.

The goal was to design and build a traditionally-styled sustainable home with exceptional energy efficiencies. The final system includes a 2 panel structural awning, 4 panels on the roof and 14 panels on the back of the garage.

With an estimated 5,000 kWh produced annually, Microgrid Founder and CEO, Rick Hunter, says "the system, when combined with the energy efficient ways in which the house was built, will provide enough energy to fully power the home."