Solar hot water technology developed at Queen's will soon be powering a collaborative green pilot project by Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc., Bullfrog Power Inc., EnerWorks Inc., and the Government of Canada.

The project, recently announced in Ottawa, aims to install 1,200 residential solar hot-water systems in Ontario within the next two years. Solar water heating allows homeowners to reduce their energy costs and environmental impact by harnessing the sun's energy. At the time of purchase, qualifying homeowners will receive a substantial savings on the purchase and installation of their own solar water heating systems, and may qualify for further rebates and credits as well.

The solar water-heating system was developed by Queen's solar energy researcher Stephen Harrison (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) and commercialized by PARTEQ Innovations, the university's technology transfer office, in partnership with Dorchester, Ontario-based EnerWorks Inc., a leading North American solar thermal technology provider.

The EnerWorks systems are Canada's first solar water heaters to receive all-season CSA certification.. The integrated system is composed of three parts (solar panels, an energy pack and a solar storage tank) that work together to meet a household's primary demand for hot water, while the existing water heater provides a secondary heating source. Solar water heating does not affect the quality or the availability of the hot water. The systems provide a clean, cost-effective way to reduce water heating costs, while also significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.