A zero-energy building is a building where the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to the amount of renewable energy generated on the site. In other words, a zero-energy building produces as much energy as it consumes.
Some of the emerging trends in Zero-Energy Buildings (ZEBs) include the use of solar panels, the use of wind turbines, the use of geothermal systems, and the use of passive solar design principles.