The Autarkic House – Europe’s first off-grid solar-hydrogen powered home has been shortlisted at the Planning Awards for use of technology, with the winners to be announced in September.

This innovative Paragraph 79e home located in Devon AONB, will not be connected to any national power, gas, water or waste connection and will be powered solely by renewable energies produced on site.

The owners’ ambition is not only to complete the project but also make the concept of off-grid living accessible to other homeowners wanting to be self-sufficient and reduce their carbon footprint by using their methodology in future development.

James Ellis, Associate Planner at Rural Solutions, who led the planning application for The Autarkic House, named to reflect its self-sufficient state, said the consent was a significant achievement for the applicants.