A big celebration for the Drake Landing Solar Community residents and partners this week, as the project celebrates its tenth year.

Over 90% of space heating in 52 homes in the Drake Landing Community is provided by solar power thanks to the project.

In the community, solar energy is captured by rooftop solar panels, transferred to the energy centre where it heads into short term thermal tanks, and then onto borehole thermal storage as required, the energy is then transferred from the short term or borehole tanks into the homes.

Doug McClenahan , Research and Development Manager For Renewable Heat and Power for Canmet Natural Resources Ottawa, says after studying solar heating for years he finally found partners for a first of its kind project right here in Okotoks.

"We knew that Okotoks was a progressive community, and environmentally aware, so it all worked together,"

The Drake Landing Solar Community has seen great success over the years, winning two awards including the Energy Globe World Award for Sustainability, and the International Energy Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling Program Award.

McClenahan says the project has also created many firsts in the solar energy industry.

"Last year 93% of the heating was provided by solar, and the year before it was 100%, its the first time it's ever happened, and 20 years earlier than originally expected."

He adds the project was the first of its kind in North America, continues to be unique to our continent, and is now desired globally.

"It's one of kind right now in North America, there's a lot of interest around the world though. Just yesterday one of the largest developers in South Korea was here, and they've been getting funding now to look at doing a similar project there. We also signed an agreement recently with the largest solar thermal company in China, to replicate this project in China several times over."

McClenahan thanks The Town of Okotoks, Anthem United, Sterling Homes, and ATCO Gas for their continued support of the project.

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