When Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina, the impact was felt across our mountains for weeks. Roads were closed, trees were downed, and thousands of residents were left without power – some for extended periods of time. It was a powerful reminder of how vulnerable we can be when the grid goes down.
But it was also a turning point.
At Red Tree Builders-Alair Asheville, we believe resilience should be built into the foundation of every home. That’s why we’ve embraced net-positive home design—an approach that not only reduces your environmental impact but also protects your family when the unexpected happens.
What Is a Net-Positive Home?
A net-positive home produces more energy than it consumes. In the case of our latest builds, that means combining rooftop solar panels with smart battery storage systems. During sunny days, the solar panels generate energy to power the home—and any unused energy is stored in batteries or sent back to the grid.
But the real advantage comes when disaster strikes.
Resilience Through Design
When Helene hit, homes without power quickly faced major challenges: no refrigeration, no HVAC, no way to charge devices or maintain basic communication. For homeowners in a net-positive home with battery backup, that situation looks very different.
Stored solar energy keeps critical systems running – things like:
- Refrigerators
- HVAC and heat pumps
- Lighting in essential areas
- Medical devices
Instead of scrambling for generators or waiting on utility crews, homeowners can ride out outages with confidence and comfort.
Built for Western North Carolina
Our region’s terrain is steep, wooded, and sometimes hard to access during storms. That’s why designing for independence makes sense here. With a solar-and-storage system, our homes don’t just reduce monthly utility bills – they provide energy security when it’s needed most.
And because they’re built to be net-positive, any excess energy is returned to the grid during normal conditions, helping offset community demand and reduce fossil fuel reliance.
The Future Is Self-Sufficient
As extreme weather events become more common, we believe this kind of design is no longer optional – it’s essential. Sustainable building isn’t just about saving energy. It’s about protecting families, strengthening communities, and creating homes that can take care of themselves when the grid can’t.
Interested in building a smarter, more resilient home?
Let’s talk about how we can integrate solar, storage, and smart systems into your mountain home. Because here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, being prepared is part of living well.
Contact Us Today
Want to learn more about solar energy for your home?
We proudly partner with Sugar Hollow Solar – a trusted local expert in solar solutions here in Western North Carolina. Visit their site to explore your options, get a quote, or dive deeper into how solar can work for you.
