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Off-Grid Blog

Recent Posts

Off-Grid Solar Array & Battery Bank In Waldo, Maine

Welcome back to the Off-Grid Blog! We are so happy to share the details on this solar installation we just completed in Waldo, Maine. All utilities for this home are running on the 6-kilowatt roof-mounted solar array connected to SOL-ARK hybrid inverter/charge controller/automatic transfer switch, paired with 2 kilovault HAB 7.5 KWH lithium batteries (with a total storage capacity of 15 KWH). This roof-mounted system provides all power to this off-grid home, there is an auto generator back-up to cover any instances where the solar can't keep up with the demand (during any short, dark winter days). More...

Off-Grid Net-Zero Home – Waldo, Maine

We are proud to share the amazing progress on our off-grid project in Waldo, Maine just outside of Belfast. Our guys have worked hard all winter on this super insulated home, and are now rounding the corner to the finish line. More...

Building Off-Grid In Maine

After pricing out the grid-tied option, running power down a secluded road, it was a cost driven decision to invest in off-grid solar as the main source of power. Back up is a propane generator for times when there is either no sun for extended periods, or excess demand -this will eliminate lags, and the inverter system will start the generator automatically when the batteries get depleted beyond a set point. More...

Net Zero Construction > Cost of a Net-Zero House

The cost for an average size, basic level finish and design Net Zero home, starts at: $200 per square foot with installed rooftop solar PV.  From there, upgraded finishes and more complex design features are available at additional cost per square foot. More...

The Path to Net Zero with Black Rock Builders, Inc.

The following are the 7 steps we believe to be the crucial elements of building a high-performance home, aggregated to give you a peek into what the differences are between a traditionally built home and a high-performance home. This process is one that eliminates not only excessive utility consumption but also the problems that can arise from a home that is not running at peak efficiently such as drafts, inconsistent heating, and excess money spent on heating and cooling. We have found these steps the best way to get your home’s running costs down, while providing un paralleled comfort and security for you all year round. We utilize tried and true techniques, approaches, and materials that we have found to be the best performing and most cost-efficient ways to achieve long lasting results. More...