Large-scale grid outages have increased in the last couple of years in the United States. Some home and business owners are responding by making their properties more resilient. Although there are many ways to achieve this, solar energy systems with battery back and high-performance building techniques are growing in popularity.
One such property is the Rector family residence in Monroe, Maine. Their high-performance home is located in an area known for frequent and sometimes extended power outages. This project uses insulation, air sealing, a passive solar design, a solar system with batteries, and a Zehnder heat recovery ventilation system to dramatically reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and the power grid.