Heh, there are a ton of abandoned villages here in Russia, and the legislation for taking over the houses involves living for five years, and having proof that you did.
But they are in much worse condition, usually no electricity, and it is somewhat expensive to go solar around here.

Still land is dirt cheap in most of the places, as well as a lot of building materials could be just salvaged.
How many of you are in this cool project? I mean not your neighbours?