May/June 2005 Issue
 
Building the Homes of Tomorrow — Today



  Online Featured Story:
The Near-Zero-Energy House
Savvy production builders are turning dream into reality — and winning an edge with customers. By Rob Hammon, Ph.D.
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On the cover, Pardee Homes opened Soleil at Bordeaux last summer in San Diego with 10 percent of the homes designed to participate in the Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Homes program. This 2,700-square-foot house includes a GE Energy photovoltaic roof panel system and enough energy efficient features to merit the ENERGY STAR seal. Photo courtesy of Pardee Homes
   
Building the Workforce
Assuring Quality Installations
Certification ensures system performance — and promotes consumer acceptance.
By Pete Sheehan
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Assuring Quality Training
ISP accreditation sets the benchmark as renewable energy courses proliferate.
By Jane Weissman
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Power Investing
Has the solar photovoltaic market finally reached the tipping point?
By Rona Fried, Ph.D.
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Tapping the Homeland Security Market
Opportunities for clean distributed generation are burgeoning, but challenges remain.
By Scott Sklar
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Special Focus
Farming Sun and Wind
How one family is achieving the good life at a B&B powered by renewable energy.
By John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist

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Columns
in this Issue

Chair's Corner: A Big Green Tent
By Thomas Starrs
Full-text available online

View from Washington: Stop-and-Go Support
By Joel B. Stronberg

Energy Policy News: From Climate Destabilization to Climate Recovery
By Donald E. Osborn

Wind Energy News: States of Motion
By Kathy Belyeu

Safety Matters: Foreseeable Hazards
By Kent Whitfield, P.E.

Working in RE: Making the Leap
By Mick Sagrillo

Readers' Forum: The Future Is Solar
By Sol Shapiro

Click here for a full list of SOLAR TODAY'S columns and departments.