An Annapolis-based home builder broke ground today (9/8) in Frederick on what it touts as Maryland's first community of "net zero," carbon-neutral homes.
NEXUS Energy Homes Inc. is building 59 market-rate homes in the historic downtown to meet LEED platinum standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. The homes, featuring rooftop solar panels and buried geothermal loop along with high-efficiency systems and appliances, are designed to generate as much electricity as they use - ergo, the "net zero" label.
The Frederick homes also are planned to be more affordable than you might imagine. Prices have been held down with federal and state incentives. The project, known as the Residences at North Pointe, is sponsored by the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick under its HOPE VI program. The development is actually a mixed redevelopment of one of Frederick's former housing projects. The market-rate homes are to go in among subsidized apartments already built. That's the developer's artist's conception of the finished community above.
For more, go here.