Oct. 9, 2013: Drake Landing Solar Community Receives IEA Solar Award
In 2012, Community Achieved Nearly 100 Percent of Space Heating Needs from Solar Energy
ATCO Gas and Sterling Homes accepted the award on behalf of the partners, which also include the town of Okotoks and United Communities. Completed in 2007, Drake Landing Solar Community has North America’s first large-scale seasonal-storage solar heating system and is home to 52 solar-heated residences.
The design of the community allows solar energy to be absorbed during the summer months, stored underground, and returned to the homes as heat in the winter. In 2012, the community surpassed its own world record by achieving nearly 100 percent of space heating needs from solar energy.
“As the operator of this facility, ATCO Gas is pleased that the Drake Landing Solar Community continues to be recognized as a world leader in solar thermal energy,” said Bill Stephens, president, ATCO Gas. “This is a landmark project for us that demonstrates our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.”
This is the second international award received by the Drake Landing Solar Community. In 2011, it earned the Energy Globe World Award for Sustainability by achieving more than 80 percent of the community’s space heating requirements from solar energy.
The IEA‘s SHC Programme was created in 1977. Its objectives are cooperative research, development, demonstration, and exchange of information regarding solar heating and cooling systems. Twenty countries and the European Union are IEA SHC members.
For more information, visit www.atcogas.com.
Publication date: 10/7/2013
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