This blog follows the latest trends in high performance housing from an insider's perspective. I am the General Manager of one of Ottawa's leading homebuilders - Urbandale Construction, and it gives me a firsthand view of how the industry is changing. I've seen the barriers that builders face when trying to market new technologies and I've been working directly to overcome these barriers to bring new energy efficient designs into Urbandale homes.

August 10, 2010 No Comments

The Future of Solar Panels

It looks like Nanosolar is the first company out of the gates with a process that “makes it possible to produce 100x thinner solar cells 100x faster”. The technology is in fact so impressive that it won the Popular Science Innovation of the Year and Green Tech Grand Award.


Unfortunately, there’s no information available yet on the efficiency or the costs of these puppies, so how do we know they’re serious? Well, Nanosolar CEO Martin Roscheisen claims that once full production starts , it will create 430 megawatts’ worth of solar cells a year—more than the combined total of every other solar plant in the U.S.

Are you ready for ubiquitous solar PV? This is the type of technology that can transform the energy market.  Personally I find that one of the biggest drawbacks to solar photovoltaic systems is that – frankly, they can look pretty ugly.  I’ve been waiting for this type of technology to be available so that the PV system can integrate more aesthetically into the home.  Urbandale buyers expect a beautiful home, and this technology can make it so a green homebuyer doesn’t have to make any sacrifices.

Posted by Matthew

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matthew Sachs

B. Eng. LEED AP

  • General Manager of Urbandale Construction since May 2008
  • Vice-Chair R-2000 Renewal Committee
  • Member of Energy Star Technical Advisory Committee
  • Greater Ottawa Homebuilders Green Committee
  • Recipient of Canadian Homebuilder’s Association 2009 R-2000 Builder of the Year Award
  • Participant in Natural Resources Canada’s Technology Roadmap for Sustainable Housing
  • Energy Consultant with Marbek Resource Consultants (Feb 2002 – May 2006)
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ABOUT URBANDALE CONSTRUCTION:

Ottawa's Quality Homebuilder for 30 Years. Building R-2000 and Energy Star Homes in Kanata Lakes, Riverside South, & Bridlewood in Ottawa, and in eQuinelle in Kemptville. For more information on Urbandale Construction, please visit www.urbandale.com.