In the News

New Berlin, WI – (May 23, 2017) – On Tuesday, May 23rd at 11:00 a.m., Neumann Companies along with Tim O’Brien Homes Inc, SunVest Solar Inc., and the City of New Berlin will hold a ground breaking ceremony on Wisconsin’s first Net Zero community, Red Fox Crossing in New Berlin. A Net Zero Community has the electrical generation from photovoltaic (PV) solar systems (the amount produced) that will offset the projected electrical consumption (the amount used) of each individual home built.

Red Fox Crossing will feature 34 single-family homesites developed by Neumann Developments, Inc., the Net Zero Ready Homes will be built by Tim O’Brien Homes Inc., and each solar array will be designed and installed by SunVest Solar, Inc.

“It has always been our dream to offer an energy independent community,” said Matt Neumann, Principal of Neumann Companies. “We are excited to have all three companies involved in creating Wisconsin’s first Net Zero community.”

The three partner companies share an environmental tie. Neumann Developments, Inc. has developed over 3000 acres of land with 50% preserved green space. Tim O’Brien Homes is a home builder that focuses on energy efficiency and green building practices. In fact, they built the first Emerald Certified home following the National Green Building Standard (NGBS). And SunVest Solar adds the technology to bring solar energy to homes, both new and existing homes as well as commercial projects.

“Red Fox Crossing has the potential to be the turning point in building a more sustainable community and neighborhood in Wisconsin, versus focusing on only one home at a time,” says Tim O’Brien, President of Tim O’Brien Homes. “A more holistic approach to high performance and sustainable communities.”

The 34 homes in Red Fox Crossing will start in size from 1,900 square foot for a ranch and 2,200 square foot for a two-story and feature natural materials on the exterior. Each home will include a six to eight kW photovoltaic (PV) solar array and be certified by the following programs: U. S. Department of Energy Net Zero Ready Home, ENERGY STAR® V3 National Qualified Home, EPA WaterSense® and EPA Indoor Air Plus Qualified Home. “Solar is the number one source of new electric generation in the United States that enables the homeowner to generate electricity from the sun,” said Kirk Kindred, National Sales Director for SunVest Solar. “We are proud to bring the value of clean renewable solar energy to the first Net Zero Community in Wisconsin.”

Red Fox Crossing is located on the south west corner of W. Grange Avenue and S. Sunny Slope Road, serviced by New Berlin School District, and close to shopping and Interstate 43. Home and lot packages will range from $450,000 to $650,000.

Neumann Developments, Inc. is a family owned business and a local residential land conservation developer with a reputation for preserving permanent green space and creating Wisconsin’s best places to call home. 

Tim O’Brien Homes is a semi-custom single family home builder in the Milwaukee and Madison Wisconsin areas and the leader in energy efficiency, innovative designs, green building practices, and renewable technologies. All homes are 3rd party tested and certified surpassing the State’s energy- efficiency and green strict guidelines, and backed by a 5-Year Energy Guarantee. To learn more about Tim O’Brien homes, call 262-542-5750, visit TimOBrienHomes.com, or tour a model home.

SunVest Solar, Inc. is a national developer who has worked with over 600 customers across the entire United States, installing more than 44,000 solar panels totaling over 14,000 kW. This equates to approximately 16,250,000 kWh of solar production every year, saving our customers well over a million dollars each year! For more information, please visit SunVest.com.