Net Zero
A Net Zero home produces as much renewable energy onsite (typically from solar PV) as it consumes over a year. Net Zero is an operational-energy metric — annual production must equal annual use — and it is independent of envelope quality. A Net Zero home with a leaky envelope just needs more solar; a Net Zero home built to Passive House needs much less. Most Net Zero homes pair high-performance envelope, all-electric mechanical systems, and a 6-12 kW PV array.