7 solar-powered buildings that produce more energy than they use

By Cat DiStasio

As the cost of solar energy falls, more and more buildings are being outfitted with photovoltaic systems -- and some even generate more electricity than they use. Structures like that are called "energy positive" and it's a pretty impressive feat. If your home or business can produce more power than it needs, it can actually turn a profit, since local utility companies can buy that excess electricity from you and feed it into the grid for others to use. We've rounded up some of the most incredible energy-positive buildings from around the world -- read on for a closer look.

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The spinning, sun-chasing Heliotrope

Our first stop is an amazing and eye-catching solar home in Germany designed by Rolf Disch. The aptly named Heliotrope is one of the world's first energy-positive homes, and it can generate up to five times as much power as it needs to operate. The home sports a giant angled solar array on the roof and the entire structure is mounted on a pole timed to rotate 180 degrees each day as it follows the sun.