Suntech's Solar Panels Power Net-Zero Home at 2010 Vancouver Olympics

VANCOUVER, Canada - Suntech Power Holdings Co., the world's largest producer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules, has provided the solar panels to power British Columbia's first net-zero home at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The showcase home, located in the Whistler resort, brings the concept of accessible zero-energy living to attendees of the event. The net-zero home was designed by Vancouver-based RDC Homes.

The net-zero home includes a variety of design elements and technologies that make the house ultra-efficient, and capable of creating energy equal to its annual energy consumption. Suntech's Just Roof (TM) solar roofing system provides 6 kW of solar energy to the 2,200 square foot home, which will be used throughout the duration of the Winter Olympics to house Canadian Olympic athletes as part of the Home Field Advantage program.

Suntech's participation in the showcase home builds on the company's history of providing clean power to net-zero homes. Builders have continually selected Just Roof, one of the industry's most cost effective integrated PV systems for its high efficiency and flexible design that can be integrated with any roofing material.

"The world's focus is on the sportsmanship and excitement of the 2010 Winter Olympics with the incredible backdrop of the Vancouver environment, and as such, it is a great time for the clean energy community to show off the potential of sustainable, zero-energy living – especially in a place like Whistler, with an annual snow fall of 30 feet," said Steve Chan, Chief Strategy Officer, Suntech. "This home is proof-positive that net-zero homes are accessible for today's homeowners and home builders."

Impressively, RDC Homes anticipates that the home will not only be net-zero energy but in fact net positive, producing more energy than it uses. Data from the home will be analyzed for future planning of net-zero homes.Residents and visitors to Whistler can tour British Columbia's first net-zero home throughout the Olympic Games. For more information on the home, please visit: http://www.rdcfinehomes.com/2010-netzero-blog