The Sun Queen

Scientist Mária Telkes dedicated her career to harnessing the power of the sun. Though undercut and thwarted by her male colleagues, she persevered to design the first successfully solar-heated house in 1948 and held more than 20 patents.

Watch a preview of The Sun Queen.

In 1948, the Nemethy family moved into a curious new solar powered house in Dover, Massachusetts. The Dover Sun House, as it came to be known, was designed by physicist Mária Telkes, and it was the first modern house to be heated by nothing but the sun. This short video details the Nemethy experience of living there while also explaining the thermal heating system used to heat the home.

In 1964, chemical engineer and inventor Mária Telkes spoke to an audience of other women in the sciences. She made a strong case for why they—and solar energy—were the future.

Zani, Yaseen and Khari live on a 25-acre homestead in the New Mexico desert. Join us as we visit them to find out what modern off-grid living looks like.

Kyle and Cierra live in a one-bedroom cabin in the Minnesota woods. Join us as we visit them to find out what modern off-grid living looks like.

Heidi, Evan and their son Huckle own Small Axe Farm, a one-acre off grid market farm in Vermont. Join us as we visit them to find out what modern off-grid living looks like.