New York state recently announced $34 million in incentives to spark the construction of homes that generate more energy than they consume.
Zero-net-energy buildings rely on features such as solar panels, insulation and geothermal heating and cooling systems to keep energy consumption and generation balanced over the course of a year.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority says Monday it's offering incentives of between $2,000 and $8,000 per dwelling unit to builders of the energy-efficient homes. Both professional builders and individuals are eligible for the incentives, which come from the authority's low-rise residential new construction program.
Authority president and CEO John Rhodes says leading builders have shown that net zero can work and the authority wants to help more builders meet that goal.