Development will use green energy

Going green now means never having to shell out the green for an energy bill again.

The end of traditionally electric-powered homes began yesterday as the groundbreaking for the nation's first Net Zero Solar to Hydrogen Fuel Cell House was held at The Ridge at Chukker Creek residential development in Aiken.

"This is not the house of the future, it is the house of now," developer Ron Monahan said.

Together, Monahan and architect George Watt began dreaming of the ultimate green home 18 months ago.

"We said, 'Let's try and design a net zero home.' A home that produces as much energy as it uses," Watt said. "The goal was to design a home that fits into Aiken's history and character."

The house will utilize the latest technologies to eliminate energy bills over a year's time, storing its excess solar-created electricity in a metal hydride form and dispensing it later through a hydrogen fuel cell.

The home's exterior incorporates a Lowcountry style with wide porches.

Monahan and Watt constructed a local team with the aid of lead CHR scientist Scott Greenway to create a home they believe couldn't have happened anywhere else but Aiken County, which is being called in some circles Hydrogen County, USA.

"When we got here ... we found an incredible synergy of talent and expertise that we were fortunate to be able to bring together," Monahan said. "I think the most distant member of this team is from 50 miles away, most are right here, and the hydrogen fuel cell is from right down the street. We do not think we could have assembled this team anywhere else."

At the completion of the home, five local builders will have the skills to construct similar homes.

"Once these builders build this house together, they will be qualified to build other such revolutionary houses themselves and will be able to take this technology around Aiken and the state," Watt said.

"Today is about being able to bring together a common vision to reach a common goal. Today we are starting to realize that goal. It's going to happen and we are going to show this can be built and it works," he said.

For more information, visit theridgeaiken.com.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.