Project S.T.R.A.W. aims to build a passive solar strawbale house in Seneca County, Ohio to educate others about sustainable building. The project seeks to be net zero energy and uses recycled and natural materials like strawbale insulation, solar panels, and a rain garden. Volunteers are helping with construction to create an energy efficient home that demonstrates alternative building techniques.

1. Project S.T.R.A.W. S aving T oday’s R esources in A wesome Ways

4. Architect rendering of Little Portion Green

7. Passive solar – winter/summer

8. ERV System – ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATION

12. The latest in water heaters an electric heat pump water heater A compressor and evaporator is integrated into the water heater. The evaporator draws in ambient heat from the surrounding air using two variable speed fans. Electric coils wrap the tank all the way to the bottom to transfer this heat into the tank and heat the water. An electronic back-lit LCD display at eye level lets you adjust temperature settings easily. Powered by PV panels Reduces water heating operating cost up to 62% saving up to $320 per year

13. Millcell - AN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY using 100% recycled glass bottles Millcell is now manufactured in Germany. It will be produced in the U.S. The first plant will be located in Central Ohio, with the promise of more plants in Ohio. Little Portion Green will be the first project in North America to use this product .

14. Millcell made it all the way and is now installed in Little Portion Green

15. Why solar? Electricity demand has more than doubled since 1970 and is expected to quadruple by 2030. More than 85% of the energy consumed in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels. Solar panels generate no emissions of greenhouse gases or other pollutants, thereby reducing global climate impacts. Solar electric panels operate silently because they have no moving parts. The life expectancy of a typical system is 40-50 years.

18. Mountain top removal - blasting

19. Mountaintop removal

20. Building with Strawbales Traditional Strawbale Load Bearing Post and Beam

21. Chapel of the Nativity, Spencer, WV traditional strawbale construction

24. and then more progress

25. Last December 1, 2010 all tucked away for winter

27. we move inside

28. working with straw

29. Strawbale Workshop 1

35. Dreams become a reality when we all work together Check us out: http://felc.sfctiffin.org/sfc-spirit/project-straw/