Over the years, the Solar House housed many volunteers, interns, and employees. Calendar designer Mark Spencer lived in the house for 20 years and had just received funding for new solar panels before the tragic fire destroyed the house in 2017. ASPI is still working to clean up and commemorate this historically important property and continues its commitment to renewable energy.
The solar home was the first of its kind to use an off-grid solar energy system. It was built in 1979 on the southwestern side of a hill, which had a 30-in seam of coal that ASPI promised would never be mined. The goal was to demonstrate low- cost, off-grid, self-reliant yet comfortable home construction in the varied topography of Central Appalachia.
Design
Jerry Nichols and 14 volunteers constructed the house in 6 months. Construction began with flattening an area for the house, driveway, and cistern. The house used post-and-beam construction and locally sourced poplar siding. The cost of the house was $20,000, but the additions of the greenhouse (added in 1981) and root cellar (added in 1983) brought the total cost to $25,000.
Restore
The Wilderness Site is the only outdoor educational facility with a nature center, walking trails, and educational programming, and it is easily accessible from Interstate 75 between Lexington, KY, and the Tennessee border. Located 60 miles south of Lexington, it is one of the only two options for outdoor education in a ten-county region. I’m certain that we can restore the Wilderness Site and elevate the opportunities if we act now. But we have to act now. With your help, we can sustain the efforts of ASPI as it works to capitalize on its ability to help maintain nationally recognized programs for generations to come.