The Drake Landing Solar Community, located in the town of Okotoks, Alberta, is the first solar-powered community in North America. The facility is heated by a system designed to store abundant solar energy underground during the summer months and distribute the energy to each home for space heating needs during winter months.

The system provides more than 90% of the annual heating and  hot water needs for 52 homes, despite being situated in a cold Alberta location where winter temperatures can reach -33 degrees C (-27 F)--a feat unprecedented anywhere else in the world.

All homes built in the DLSC are finely crafted, single-detached homes with rear garages and breezeways. They are built from six distinct two-story home designs, ranging from 1,492 to 1,664 square feet in size.

An average Canadian home produces approximately 6 to 7 tonnes of green house gases per year. Estimates for DLSC are that each home will produce approximately 5 tons fewer greenhouse gas emissions per year.

An array of 800 solar panels located on garage roofs throughout the community generate 1.5 mega-watts of thermal power during a typical summer day and supply heat to the district heating system.

Vist DLSC Website