The Drake Landing solar community is welcoming people to take a look at its technology this weekend.

Through the Alberta Green Energy Doors Open program people will get an inside look at the solar community energy centre.

Dawn Smith, sustainability coordinator with the Town of Okotoks, says Drake Landing is a 52 home, solar thermal community that uses district heating.

"It's district heating from solar thermal power and it's a 95 percent solar fraction which means that 95 percent of the heating needs for those 52 homes are provided through solar heat and only need a five percent top up at the end of the winter with natural gas," she says.

According to Smith, the 52 homes have about the same green house gas footprint as six regular homes of the same size.

Smith says the tour helps to highlight Okotoks as a sustainable town.

"We would definitely want to participate in this event because it's a province-wide program...even though it's an older project it's still a fantastic project to share," she says. "The technology is still innovative and cutting edge."

For those who are already familiar with the Drake Landing solar community there are other tours being offered in Calgary.

The Drake Landing tour takes place on Sat. Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To register for an Alberta Green Energy Open Doors Open tour click here.

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