U of C starts construction on solar-powered home
Posted Jun 21, 2011 3:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Students at the University of Calgary have broken ground on a 1,000 square foot solar-powered home.
It’s being built on the west side of the campus, but it will be moved in September to Washington, D.C., to compete as the only Canadian entry in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon.
Designed with addressing the need for aboriginal housing in Canada, this bungalow will be 100 per cent self sufficient.
“A lot of people take for granted the fact that we live the way that we do,” says team spokesman Johann Kyser who says the issue of housing for First Nations’ people is often taken for granted. “When you take a look at a number of aboriginal communities across this country and across the continent, there is definitely a housing crisis.”
Team Canada Project Manager Eric Westrum says the new age home is a collaboration among students in environmental design, engineering and business.
“Many different people with all the backgrounds,” Westrum tells 660News. “They might be more interested in the design or engineering aspect, but it’s about sustainability, community and the impact that we can have with the First Nations after the house is completed.”
“We really depend upon an integrated approach that draws on shared knowledge and shared capacity, in order to build more capacity in the hope of positive change,” adds Kyser.
The project is being funded by a $600,000 donation from Cenovous Energy.
