PORTLAND, Ore. – At Taylor Watkins' mother-in-law house, solar panels line the south facing roof.

"With the rising costs in power, I think we will continue to feel better and better about that," he said.

It's called a "goal net zero home," which means the energy created is almost enough to power the home for the entire year.

About 21 percent of greenhouse gases produced come from homes, which is two times as much as the average vehicle, according to Michael Van Derwater of Solar Oregon, a non-profit that promotes the use of solar energy.

A handful of area homeowners like Watkins are trying to change that.

It is simple design features such as well-insulated walls and windows, a solar water heater, photovoltaic cells and energy efficient appliances that make it possible and sends some power meters running backward.

And the extra energy produced by Watkins' mother-in-law house flows back into his own house before it goes back on the grid, he said.

Kathryn Gray has the same goal of energy independence with her Hayden Island houseboat.

"We have almost no energy bills," she said.

Her floating home has solar panels on the roof to create electricity, but it also has a two-story greenhouse.

"The greenhouse is the heart and soul of the space heating system of this house," she said. "Even if it's January and you open this door, you're going to get about 5 degrees within 10 to 15 minutes out of this room."

That creates fewer greenhouse gases and saves hundreds of dollars on power bills.

"I think the total for this year will be about $300," Gray said.

And with significant tax credits from the city, you could see more solar panels popping up on a roof near you.

Despite the frequent overcast days, Solar Oregon officials say solar panels are more efficient in the Northwest than most places in the world.

"What you used to look at before was 'Wow, that is something strange,' and now you look at and say 'Wow, that's inspirational, and I want that,' " Van Derwater said.

To learn more about the Goal Net Zero home tour happening this Saturday, click here. Tickets for the day-long event are $100.