With a few cut ribbons, the flush of toilets and speeches from members of various agencies, Issaquah’s Zero Energy zHome project broke ground on Monday.

Power, of course, was provided by the sun.

“This is one of the most significant projects the city has ever initiated,” Mayor Ava Frisinger said. “This sets an example.”

zHomes will be the nation’s first zero-energy neighborhood. The multifamily housing project uses no more energy in the course of a year than it produces, resulting in zero net carbon impact.

The development will consist of 10 townhomes, which will be built by October of 2009 and open to the public for three months. Nine of the homes will be sold and one will be donated by Howland Homes to a unspecified non-profit group and used for demonstrations to educate the public on green design and building practices.

Among other features, the homes will:

• Use 60 percent less water than the average home by using rainwater recycling and water-efficient fixtures, such as washing machines that use rainwater and low flow toilets, which were demonstrated at the ground-breaking ceremony Monday.

• Incorporate a majority of products and materials that are salvaged, reclaimed or manufactured locally.

• Reduce stormwater impact by using rain gardens, permeable pavement and rainwater reuse.

• Meet Built Green 5 star certification requirements.

“zHomes is our future,” King County Executive Ron Simms said. “zHomes is the kind of housing and development we are going to have in 2050. We’ve moved from the talking stage to the action stage.”

Although Gov. Chris Gregoire was unable to attend the event, her representative Kathleen Drew read a letter from the governor.

“This community epitomizes sustainable living,” she read. “I applaud each sponsor. Your commitment is truly inspirational.”

The project is a collaborative effort between the city of Issaquah, builder Howland Homes, Built Green, King County, Port Blakely Communities, Puget Sound Energy and the Washington State University Energy Program.

Solar panels will be a big aspect of the project.

“I think the solar panels are the most interesting,” Frisinger said. “It seems unlikely that they would be able to work here, so it’s a novelty.”

In the summer, the panels absorb up to 50 kilowatts of energy per hour, more than the home needs.

The “extra” energy will be put on the grid, where it can be used during the less sunny, winter months, builder Doug Howland said.

“It’s proving the world wrong,” Howland said. “That the Northwest is a great area for solar energy.”

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