In these uncertain times of erratic weather and changing climate patterns, net-zero energy (or NZE) is quickly becoming the gold standard in green building. If you can generate all of your own energy on site, you never need to rely on the grid or worry about energy bills. The North Carolina prefab builders at Deltec launched a line of affordable net-zero energy homes last year to great fanfare from off-grid buffs around the U.S. Now we’re thrilled to see them introduce a brand new design to this collection; a charming, classically-styled Solar Farmhouse with all of the old-fashioned curb appeal, plus the futuristic technology that makes this home achieve net-zero energy.

We’ve been following Deltec as they’ve gained fame for their net-zero prefabricated homes and smartly structured hurricane-resistant round homes. The North Carolina-based company has just added a brand new model to their Renew Collection that turns a time-honored American design into a net-zero build. The Solar Farmhouse contains everything that the classic vernacular farmhouse possesses — a pitched roof, quaint front porch, white wood siding and simple lines — updated with a slew of energy-efficient features, including a passive solar design with a photovoltaic roof and an air-tight building envelope that Deltec says simply “can’t be duplicated in the field.”

The two-story Solar Farmhouse encapsulates the “American Dream”, spanning 2029 square feet with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a darling 128-square-foot covered front porch. Although it looks just like a traditional farmhouse, this updated design is packed with modern functionality. It boasts spacious rooms, 10-foot-high ceilings, plenty of storage, and its open plan allows the home to circulate air more efficiently. Check out this virtual tour for a 360-degree view.

Built with traditional passive design concepts, every model in Deltec’s Renew Collection is dedicated to achieving net-zero energy independence. Each home is fitted with an air-tight building envelope, and by adding high-performance insulation, natural air ventilation and solar shading, each structure will stay naturally cool in summer and achieve the maximum insulation and solar heat gain possible in winter. Without requiring much energy to cool and heat these homes, they can be powered by a photovoltaic solar array alone, without relying on the grid, successfully achieving net-zero energy.

The open layout of the Solar Farmhouse puts the kitchen, dining and living room all in one sprawling space. Deltec supplies the shell of the home, with the option of several amenities that can be added to the homeowner’s liking. These amenities include a 240-square-foot covered back porch, metal roof, fresh air ventilation, passive solar awnings, and a detached carport or garage. Buyers can also choose from pre-installed window packages and pre-stained siding packages. Deltec also provides energy modeling to help homeowners select the best energy-efficient features for their home’s specific climate.

The bare bones shell of the Solar Farmhouse starts at around $62,000, while a finished home will likely range between $350k-400k.

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It's $150/sqft for the completed house...the outer shell starts at $62k

Okay, but you still have eco issues to deal with dearies

I really like their designs, but 150 a sqft for a prefab home is a bit much. Especially since you only get the outer shell.

Yes ! The Europeans have been perfecting this for decades! Great that Americans are finally catching on!

Deltec also provides energy modeling to help homeowners select the best energy-efficient features for their home's specific climate. The bare bones shell of the Solar Farmhouse starts at around $62,000, while a finished home will likely range between $300k-400k.

The new Solar Farmhouse contains everything the quintessential home possesses -- the quaint front porch, the white wood siding, the gabled roof, and the simple lines -- updated with a slew of net-zero features, including a passive solar design, air-tight building envelope, and open plan.

Every model in Deltec's Renew Collection is dedicated to achieving net-zero energy independence. Built with traditional passive design concepts, these homes are fitted with an air-tight building envelope, high-performance insulation, natural air ventilation and solar shading. This allows each home to stay naturally cool in the summer and achieve the maximum insulation and solar heat gain possible in winter. Without needing much energy to cool and heat these homes, they can be powered by photovoltaic solar array alone, successfully achieving Net Zero energy.

The open layout of the Solar Farmhouse is the designed with the kitchen, dining and living room all in one sprawling space. Deltec supplies the shell of the home, with the option of several amenities that can be added to the homeowners liking.

Optional amenities include a 240 square foot covered back porch, metal roof, fresh air ventilation, passive solar awnings, and detached carport or garage. Buyers can also choose from pre-installed window packages and pre-stained siding packages.

Deltec is also releasing a new version of their net-zero Ridgeline home with an even smaller footprint than the original.

Measuring at just 1232 square feet, the Ridgeline E use two-thirds less energy than conventional homes and their slim structure fits well within a narrow lot.

The Aster Home is another model within Deltec’s net-zero Renew Collection, representing the traditional shotgun house design with an added porch and optional timber-framed pavilion.

At 2126 square feet, Deltec’s original Ridgeline is the most spacious net-zero, solar-powered home in their Renew Collection. The Ridgeline features passive solar design and several large windows for abundant daylighting.

Deltec’s Trillium combines their net-zero and hurricane-resistant round designs with a classic square home. Daylight floods inside the Craftsman-style, two-story solar cottage that features several southern facing glass windows.

The Chestnut is a classically designed net-zero home in Deltec's Renew Collection. The solar-powered home boasts an open floor plan and a generous porch.

Deltec’s Rhododendron is a weather-resistant round home with the added bonus of solar power.