NC Solar House reopens to public

The North Carolina State University Solar House, a renewable energy education, research and demonstration center, has reopened to the general public.

The Solar House, which had been closed since July due to state funding cuts, is now open weekdays on a limited basis. More than 250,000 people have toured the facility since it opened in 1981.

The house features a passive solar design, as well as solar thermal and solar electric technologies. Its grounds also include demonstrations of other green building materials and techniques, a working wind turbine, and biodiesel production equipment.

The Solar House is operated by the NC Solar Center, which works to advance the use of renewable energy resources to ensure a sustainable economy that protects the environment, encourages energy independence, and lowers energy costs for consumers. The center provides technical support, K-12 education programs, training programs and policy support to individuals, businesses and policymakers.

Both the Solar Center and the Solar House are part of the College of Engineering at NC State.