Canada’s self-powered solar home cuts energy use, emissions by half

A team of Canadian engineers from Western Engineering and Ivey Business School has developed a self-powered solar home in Komoka, Ontario, that significantly reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions. The house integrates solar panels, a heat pump, and a thermal battery to achieve near net-zero energy performance by capturing solar electricity, converting it to heat, and storing it for later use. Early data shows the system cuts electricity bills by 45% and carbon emissions by 55%, with the thermal battery increasing solar energy utilization by 60%, thereby reducing reliance on the grid. The innovative system is designed to be highly efficient and scalable, making the home four times more energy efficient than traditional setups. Equipped with sensors and smart wiring, the house allows real-time monitoring of energy use via a mobile app. The project aims to validate the system’s effectiveness over a year and expand its adoption across Canada and globally, potentially eliminating fossil fuel use in home heating. This approach addresses the high heating costs in Canada and offers a pathway to