Welcome to the NCSU Solar House!
Celebrating 25 years of demonstrating energy possibilities.

Dedicated and opened to the public in 1981, the Solar House at North Carolina State University is one of the most visible and visited solar buildings in the United States. Over the last two decades, more than 250,000 people from around the world have toured the facility.

First and foremost, the Solar House is a resource to help meet your solar energy needs. Since the NC Solar Center was founded in 1988, the Solar House has served as its educational and demonstration showcase for solar and energy-efficient technologies. Specialists and graduate students are available to answer visitors’ questions and help them get the information they need. A reference library and media center, the latter including more than 100 videotapes available for viewing or loan, are provided for public use. A multi-media station provides access to renewable energy Internet sites, a CD-ROM encyclopedia, and a variety of computer programs.

Beyond the educational value of the Solar House, the building, together with an adjacent research annex, is a living laboratory for solar research. Numerous graduate student theses and dissertations have focused on the House. By monitoring, metering and compiling data, we have determined how well the Solar House works, under what weather conditions, and what it costs to operate. The total heating bill per winter for the Solar House averages less than $70.

In addition to viewing the Solar House through our web site, we hope you have the opportunity to visit us in person. We appreciate your interest and support of solar energy!

Steve Kalland
Executive Director

Dr. Herbert Eckerlin
Faculty Adviser

Carole Coble
Solar House Manager