Planning for Solar-Ready Suburban Neighbourhoods

This study investigates the potential for achieving Canada's net-zero emission targets by 2050 in suburban neighbourhoods through the implementation of solar energy systems. The larger size and higher energy consumption of suburban homes compared to urban homes create sustainability challenges that could be addressed by using underutilized roof space for solar panel installations. However, the limited uptake of solar systems is due to factors such as segmented roof designs, azimuth, and placement of buildings in a suburban neighbourhood setting. Collaboration among urban planners, architects, and other relevant fields is critical to addressing these challenges. The research explores strategies and techniques to improve roof morphology and solar technology uses in townhome and flat-roof building archetypes, providing a potential path forward for achieving net-zero emissions. This study highlights the importance of redesigning conventional townhome roofs and neighbourhood planning in meeting Canadian sustainability goals.<p></p>