A Zero-energy house in the Netherlands

"A dutch energy consultant has developed and demonstrated a house designed to produce as much energy as it consumes. The energy consumption was reduced by insulation, minimising the surface/volume ratio, reducing the window surface area and by the use of energy-efficient equipment. The roof of the house carries 3.4 kWp in photovoltaic cells, connected to the public grid, and a 12 m2 active (thermal) solar collector. A measurement programme in 1995 showed that the house meets the designer's ""zero-energy"" target. Between 31 December 1994 and 1 January 1996, the energy consumption of 1,070 m3 natural gas equivalent (nge) was almost balanced by the energy production of 1,146 m3 nge."