The Annual Solar Tour of Homes is organized by a staff of dedicated volunteers to educate the public on the positive aspects of solar energy and sustainable design.

This year we have over 48 solar and green homes on tour. Homes are open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, October 5 and 6. Plan your trip in advance with our handy centerfold maps. As you tour the homes, consider energy improvements to your own home.

The self-guided tour of solar and green homes is always held on the first weekend in October. The tour booklet (16MB download of the 2013 booklet) contains maps, directions to each home as well as informative articles.

The printed tour booklet is available for $2 at these locations:

Beans & Bagels
49 East Patrick St.
Frederick, MD

Trail House
17 S. Market St.
Frederick, MD

Main Cup
14 W. Main St.
Middletown, MD

Common Market
5813 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD

Mom’s Frederick
5273 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD

South Mountain Creamery
8305 Bolivar Road
Middletown, MD 21769

The 2013 tour will be on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will highlight a variety of design, technology and sustainable living concepts being used in homes throughout Maryland and the panhandle of WV.

Most homes and buildings on the tour contain a combination of renewable energy and energy conservation features. Some highlights include:

• Photovoltaic (pv) systems
• Solar hot water systems
• Geothermal systems
• Wind power turbines
• Green roof and water conservation
• Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
• Energy-saving building construction techniques

Some homeowners also practice additional conservation measures, such as composting, native plantings, water gardens and drive fuel-efficient or alternative energy vehicles.

Additional homes located in MD, VA and DC can be viewed on our Sister Solar Tour, the Annual Washington, D.C. Tour of Solar Homes & Buildings.

How to Show Your Home on the 2013 Tour

To include your home on the tour, please use the “Contact” form on this website to submit your request before May 1, 2014.

Solar Tour Advertising and Sponsorships

For sponsorhips and advertising in the 2014 Maryland or Washington DC Metropolitan area Tour of Homes, please use the “Contact” form on this website to submit your request. The deadline for Ad submissions is June 1, 2014.

• Click here for the 2013 advertising/sponsorships price list.
• Maryland guide artwork sizes (width x height)

Full-page ad: 5 in. x 8 in.
Half-page ad: 5 in. x 4 in.
Quarter-page ad: 2.5 in. x 4 in.
Business card sized ad: 2.5 in. x 1.5 in.

• Washington DC Metro guide artwork sizes here

About Us

The Annual Tour of  Solar and Green Homes is organized by a staff of dedicated volunteers to educate the public on the positive aspects of Solar Energy. We are a not for profit 501 (c)(3) organization interested in promoting sustainability and renewable energy.

NEXUS Homes, Bentz Street
Located on a busy street in downtown Frederick, Bentz Street might seem like an unlikely location for some of the most technologically advanced, environmentally conscious housing in the county.  Once you’re inside the model home there’s an immediate quiet, though it might take a few minutes to notice that the cars streaming by outside are nearly inaudible.  Once it’s pointed out you realize how much care has gone into the construction of these homes.

Every home follows strict net zero energy standards.  Under normal conditions, each house will produce as much energy as it uses in a year.  This includes heating and air conditioning.  This is achieved through a combination of super insulation, tight building envelope using SIP’s, photovoltaic panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and a duct system that is sealed at every single joint with a caulk-like substance.  No duct-tape in this house!

The innovative TRV (Total Recovery Ventilation) allows all Nexus Homes to operate at peak efficiency during either summer or winter and lower ventilation load by up to 90%.

TRV dynamically mixes the incoming and outgoing air to lessen the heating load on the house.  It also reduces humidity by offloading water molecules to a separate exhaust system.

Most interesting, however, is the suite of electronic monitoring systems available for homeowners.  These include “house of the future” style touches like remote control over lights in the house, remote access to security cameras and text message alerts about whether doors are locked or whether the doorbell has just been pressed.  You can monitor energy usage, produce reports and graphs that let you see your usage over time to develop strategies to get you closer to the net zero ideal.

Nexus Vision software puts all the information you need in your hands.  Nexus Energy Homes each come with an iPad and a custom app to allow control over your thermostat and other Nexus Vision features.  Nexus Vision can also be accessed via a desktop or laptop PC from any location.

All these technologies have existed for a while, but Nexus Homes is the first company to devote the time and energy to research and develop ways to combine them in a user friendly, maximally efficient design.

The first weekend in October will be the 3rd annual Maryland Tour of Solar & Green homes. This year we have 36 homes on the tour… including my home! The homes are open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on either Saturday (10/6) or Sunday (10/7).

Printed copies of the tour booklet are available at several locations for only $2. The booklet is a great reference. This year we have articles on:

• Solar PV Return on Investment
• Solar Thermal Return on Investment
• Electric Vehicles
• A Zero-energy Community in Frederick, MD
• An Update on Offshore Wind
• The Watershed & Your Back Yard
• Solar Leasing In Maryland