Solar Homes LLC 

About Pura Vida

Pura Vida, 'pure life' in Spanish, is the term most often used to describe the experience of being in Costa Rica, where 100% of the country's energy needs are provided by renewable resources.  Pura Vida is a farm in Oregon, Illinois, where Solar Homes LLC built its prototype.

Victor Zaderej, President of Solar Homes LLC, chose this location to build a prototype, based on his life-long study of energy-related concepts since he began studying at MIT in the 1980's. 

Having chosen an ideal site with optimum southern exposure, Victor explored the Oregon, Illinois area and fortuitously met the individuals who helped make this concept a very successful reality: 

Rick McCanse, of McCanse Builders (www.mccansebuilders.com), was eager to work with Victor on his ideas and was equally brave to take on a building project with so many newer building materials and unique design concepts. 

Bob and Sonia Vogl, of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association (www.illinoisrenew.org), have been supportive and willing sounding boards during this process. 

Kent and Kathy Lawrence of the Kickapoo MudCreek Nature Conservancy (www.kickapoomudcreek.org) were instrumental in bringing all of the above-named players together.

Marko Spiegel, long-time friend and President  of Conservation Technology International (www.conservationtechnologyinternational.com), provided expertise and feedback during the design and build process.

Objective:  Design and build a home that demonstrates the possibility of building a home in the upper midwest that can be heated with one watt per square foot at the coldest time of the year.

Achieved Objective:  Testing in February 2007 has shown that this goal has been met.