ZETA breaks ground on net-zero-energy community

Modular building company ZETA Communities broke ground this week on a net-zero-energy community in Stockton, Calif., a Central Valley city hit hard by the economic downturn.

Called the Tierra del Sol project, the development will feature 22 houses built in ZETA’s Sacramento factory.

Pre-fabricated buildings can mean less waste, faster building times and higher precision, which equals improved indoor air quality and reduced maintenance costs. For the Tierra del Sol development, the 1,300-square-foot houses will use about 45 percent less energy than a conventional home through solar panels; energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling; and efficient appliances, according to ZETA.

“This project demonstrates that new, affordable, energy efficient, healthy homes are a bright spot in the depressed housing industry,” Naomi Porat, ZETA’s chief executive, said in a statement. “Our factory production lines are full, we’re hiring 50 additional skilled workers, and we are expanding rapidly to meet current demand for housing, schools and mixed-use developments throughout the Western U.S.”

The Tierra del Sol project was developed by the non-profit housing agency Visionary Home Builders and backed by a U.S. Department of Energy residential building efficiency initiative. The project also includes a homeownership assistance program for ZETA employees.