Simpatico Homes is a new prefab company that plans to break ground on their prototype home this summer.  Simpatico has a simple philosophy based on three core elements: form (modern), function (modular prefab), and footprint (green building).  The company was kind enough to provide these renderings of the prototype, which will be built in Emeryville, California.  The three-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2500 square-foot abode was designed by Swatt Architects to received LEED Platinum.  It will include some of the following green elements:

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The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) just released a new report, the AWEA Small Wind Turbine Global Market Study, detailing a sizable advance in the small wind turbine market in the United States.  Small wind turbines, you may know, are those with a capacity of 100 kW or less.  And the U.S. market for this niche grew 78% in 2008, with a total of 17.3 (MW) of new installed capacity.  The report indicates that the growth is due, in large part, to private equity investment in the sector, as well as economies of scale, rising electricity prices, and heightened public interest. 

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It's been another record breaking month in terms of visitors and daily subscribers, and comments are starting to heat up, too.  As you can tell below, we wrote a number of articles on homes and prefab.  Topics such as modern homes, passivhaus, aktivhaus, energy efficiency, etc., seem to get more action.  And giveaways do well, too.  I'll try to get through a few more green books next month.  Expect more unique and original content, because that's what we do.  Contact us if you have a story that needs to be told.  And get your real-time fix @jetsongreen or your green job fix @greenerjobs. 

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• Passivhaus for beginners.
• Preservation is the original green.
• Building new is not building green.
• 6 prefab houses that could change home building.
• Transform your home into an energy-efficient abode.
• Small wind turbine sales grew rapidly last year.
• Clinton Climate Initiative: build climate positive communities.
• Scientists hunt for green building materials.
• Designing stadiums with the environment in mind.
• Ideal green homes from across the pond.

Follow @jetsongreen on Twitter for more news, links, and commentary.

On Cherry Street in Port Townsend, Washington, a confluence modern version of an ideabox prefab was installed.  The 840 square-foot home has an open kitchen and living area flanked by two bedrooms / bathrooms on the ends.  It sits perfectly on a small lot and the deck leads to a vegetable garden where the new homeowners will be able to live off the land, to a certain extent. 

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