Architects

What does my Architect need to know about NZE Certified?
While your Architect may be enthusiastic about your new home being net zero energy they still want it to look great. Roof mounted solar systems look like an oversized skylight. Your Architect needs to understand the relationship between insulation levels, glass performance, HVAC specifications, lighting design, appliance selection and area needed for solar panels. The more efficient the house, the smaller the area required for solar energy production. Very early in the NZE Certified process your architect will know how many square feet of solar panels need to be planned for. Very likely your architect will have creative ideas of how to accommodate the solar panels without compromising the design. The panels can be roof, ground or trellis mounted, need to face south and not in the shade between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on December 21. Here are some recent NZE Certified projects and how many square feet of solar electric was required.

Sq. Ft. of house	Sq. Ft. of solar required
1500 (new, standard eff.)	350
2000 (remodel, standard eff.)	420
2900 (new, standard eff.)	540
4000 (part time res.)	360
4500 (new & very eff)	720
8200 (new, stand eff.)	1600

Architects also need to plan for the inverter. The inverter needs to be located in a cool location and is usually about 18"wide x24" high with 15" side and 36" front clearances. The inverters do hum slightly so they should not be located near sleeping rooms.

Mechanical System Space:

Sufficient space to locate the heating, cooling and domestic hot water generator is important. Your architect will need a space with the house of a minimum 4'x4' footprint. These issues will be discussed during the design phase of you project.