This RDC Fine Homes Net-Zero home in Whistler, British Columbia is hosting Olympic athletes. (RDC Fine Homes Photo)

VANCOUVER, Canada -- While athletes have been grabbing the spotlight at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Suntech, the world's largest producer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules, has put itself in the global green energy spotlight by providing the solar panels to power British Columbia's first net-zero home.

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.

"This home is proof-positive that net-zero homes are accessible for today's homeowners and home builders," said Steve Chan, Chief Strategy Officer, Suntech.

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 solar roofing system provides 6 kW of solar energy to the 2,200 square foot home, which is being used for the duration of the Winter Olympics to house Canadian Olympic athletes as part of the Home Field Advantage program.

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, visit: http://www.rdcfinehomes.com/2010-netzero-blog

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