Solar Wind Generator at work on a western NY construction site, completely replacing the framing crew’s gasoline generator. Saved the framing company, Canadice Construction, the expense of 553 gals of gasoline in a 4 month period.

In May 2008, the Museum of Science and Industry opened the exhibit “Smart Home: Green + Wired,” featuring a modular home created by California-based Michelle Kaufmann designs.

The 2,500 square-foot mkSolaire model home demonstrates several green building techniques including the use of recycled materials, sustainable gardens and a green roof.

In this video, Mark Boyer of YoChicago.com talks to Anne Rashford, MSI’s director of temporary exhibits, about the exhibit’s history, purpose and design.

An explosion in green building is underway, with cleverly engineered libraries, office buildings, even public housing projects popping up across the Bay Area, and championed as much by landlords trying to cut energy and water costs as by environmental groups.