From Sustainable Business Oregon:
http://assets.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/04/first-two-net-zero-buildings-certified.html
First two 'net zero' buildings certified under new standard
Sustainable Business Oregon
By Christina Williams
Less than a year after launching the new Net Zero Building Certification program, the first two buildings — including one in Oregon — to earn the designation were announced this week by the International Living Future Institute.
Painters Hall, a community center in Salem's Pringle Creek neighborhood, earned certification as a net zero building, along with IDeAs 72 Design Facility in San Jose, Calif. Both buildings were existing building retrofit projects.
Net zero buildings employ energy conservation and efficiency measures and on-site energy generation. The result is a building that meets its own energy needs and doesn't tax the local power grid. Last October, the institute recognized a growing interest in this type of building by introducing the first official certification program for net zero building.
The developers of Pringle Creek Community converted an 80-year-old building into a community center within the 32-acre mixed-use redevelopment. A 20-kilowatt solar array on the roof produces enough energy to meet the building's needs.
The building also met the requirements of the Energy, Equity and Beauty portion of the Living Building Challenge, which is also operated by the International Living Future Institute.
Net zero energy construction is expected to grow to become a $1.3 trillion market by 2035."
