Palm Harbor Homes plans to showcase a solar-powered park model (recreational park trailer) at next week’s Florida RV SuperShow, according to a press release.
“This is green to the point of being ‘net zero,’ which means you typically have a ‘zero dollar’ utility bill or in some cases end up selling power back to the utility company,” said Mike Wnek, Palm Harbor’s senior vice president, adding that the unit’s 3.2 KW photovoltaic panels generate more than enough electricity to use each day.
Dubbed the Staniel Cay Eco Cottage after an island in the Exuma Cays archipelago east of the Bahamas, the 399-square-foot unit is designed for use as a part-time residence or vacation cottage in Sunbelt RV resorts as well as on private property in the Caribbean and Central America.
The Staniel Cay Eco Cottage features a very flexible design platform and can be purchased as a stand-alone ANSI park model. A porch can be added to the front or rear, depending on personal needs. Units exported to the islands are built to a DCA Modular Code with wind speed resistance up to 150 mph.
“It’s the perfect island hideway product,” Wnek said. “But the platform is designed to appeal to a full range of buyers.”
Indeed, the Staniel Cay Eco Cottage can also be used as a guest house, mother-in-law suite or assisted living unit.
Built with BASF full-spray closed cell insulation, the cottage features R-21 sidewalls, R-21 flooring, an R-33 sealed roof, reflective metal roof, high efficiency Lo E windows and doors and solar shades. Interior amenities include bamboo and cork flooring, recycled glass countertops, 100% LED lighting and Energy Star ceiling and exhaust fans.
Appliances include a gas stove and refrigerator, on-demand water heating, a backup gas generator and a no-duct mini-split heat pump. The unit also comes equipped with a dual flush toilet and water efficient bath and faucet fixtures.
The Staniel Cay Eco Cottage will debut at the Florida RV SuperShow at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, with a trade day scheduled for Jan. 10 and public days Jan. 11-15. The cottage will also be displayed at the NAHB’s International Builders Show Feb. 8-11 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Based in Addison, Texas, Palm Harbor Homes is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers and marketers of factory-built homes, including park models, modular homes and HUD units. The company markets nationwide through vertically integrated operations, encompassing manufacturing, marketing, financing and insurance. For more information, visit www.palmharbor.com.
