First green subdivision in Texas

Austin (KXAN) - An entire community of green sustainable homes is being built in East Austin. When it’s finished it will be the first subdivision in Texas to offer net-zero energy consumption.

"This is actually the first community of its kind anywhere," said Garry Wise, Sales Manager of the GoodLife Team.

It's called Solutions Oriented Living. Tucked away in East Austin just 3 miles from downtown is a unique subdivision concept that's under construction. Once finished every home will use half the electricity of a typical home because of the construction materials.

"Using 2x6 exterior walls, insulation, metal roofs, high quality windows," said Chris Krager, SOL Architect.

That combined with solar panels on the roof will allow every home to eventually work off the grid. And residents will be able to monitor their own energy consumption.

"That panel where you turn your breakers on or off will be connected to a laptop or a monitor in the kitchen," said Krager. "That's where they can see how much energy the plasma used. And not only monitor it but shut things down during certain times of the day."

Even the drainage area is environmentally friendly.

"Underneath where we're standing there are some large half pipes that collect the water and let the water filter through a bed of gravel and sand and recharge the aquifer directly rather than let it sit in a big ugly concrete pond," said Krager.

The modern style homes will be priced between $215,000 and $349,000.

Out of the 40 homes going up a section will be set aside for affordable housing.

There is a pre-grand opening celebration Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:00.