The goal of the project was to develop a building standard that will provide a prescriptive set of rules for designing a building that generates as much energy as it uses. There is also a performance path in the code using
Energy Modeling . The performance path is recommended for maximum benefit.
There are 4 steps in designing a Net-Zero Energy Building using the standard
1. Determine your energy budget 
. Your energy budget is based how much energy you can generate from the roof of your building. Just like a financial budget, you can't spend more than you make. The energy budgets are capped based on the energy efficiency requirements of the code. The
Energy Budget Calculator will automatically calculate your energy Budget.
2. Determine your basic design based on your energy budget. Some building orientations

use more energy than others. Some construction types

use more energy than others. The
Energy Budget Calculator will guide you through this decision making process.
3. Find out how much money you will save every month using the
Nega-watt calculator.
4. SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT to meet with a plans examiner at the City of Tucson or Pima County to learn more about the code and how to design and submit plans that meet the code and start you on your way to positive cash flow and energy independence.
Make an appointment with a plans examiner to discuss your net-zero energy building project.
For projects within the City of Tucson jurisdiction please call:
Clayton Trevillyan at (520) 837-4913.
For projects within the Pima County jurisdiction please call:
Rich Franz-Ünder at (520) 724-6892