NET ZERO ENVIRONMENT  Oceano Village has a long term goal with a strong plan in place, to provide direction for the creation of a environmental impact closed system, just as does nature, to achieve a 'Net Zero' community. The 'net zero' approach means that we take no non-renewable resources from nature, nor do we give nature back anything, which usually translates to pollution. The Net Zero approach at Oceano is based on creating a closed system, just like any ecosystem on our planet.
The 3 closed system components are energy, water and waste.
The domestic water, sanitary treatment system and storm water management infrastructure are all intimately linked through the 13 million gallon Oceano Lake to create a closed system.
Buildings within Oceano are designed to be sustainable. Longevity and maintainability are one of the key factors in creating sustainable buildings. Oceano buildings are generally concrete structures which will last hundreds of years and provide the highest level of resistance to termites and the forces of nature. Concrete walls and floors also provide an excellent thermal mass to even day and night termperatures.
Oceano flooring materials and countertops are stone and cabinetry and doors are local non-endangered hardwoods. Windows are of safety glass which can withstand a two by four at 100 mph hitting the glass. Window frames are of a very high quality PVC to reduce problems with the constant maintenance of wooden windows. The glazing is single only - not double - because it anticipates that through proper design, during the day, windows will be open encouraging the cooling natural tradewinds which blow directly from the bay.
 Our five year goal is to reduce consumption by 60% from the typical development and to then, through the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar photovoltaics, bring Oceano to a point of a 'net zero' energy consumer. Our fifteen year plan is to eventually produce electricity through these sources to produce adequate electricity to power not only the buildings in Oceano but also electric vehicles that owners in the Village drive. At the outset we will provide optional roof mounted solar photovoltaics arrays to purchase. The payback periods are currently very poor however, twenty five years at the time of writing. Photovoltaic arrays are expected to drop drastically in price over the next five-ten years.
All materials are natural - including the furnishings to limit off-gassing products within the homes. Walls are clad with either stucco on concrete or prepainted hardiboard concrete siding. All hardware is bronze or brass in the marine environment of Roatan.
Numerous valley lands on the property offer the opportunity to grow food for the village herb gardens. The addition of fruit orchards and market gardens could offer the opportunity to close the organic waste system using waste sludge from the sanitary system as fertiliser.
Options will be explored either on site or supporting off site island agriculture including the existing on-island hydroponic facility.
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