1. FlexSola – Flexible Solar House
FlexSola is the “green” upgrade of the winning FlexHouse™ design. By applying the main
principles of FlexHousing™, adaptability, accessibility and affordability, FlexSola will enable people to
purchase and keep their home, rather than move when family or economic conditions change.
Each unit can accommodate one or two independent dwellings, so it can function as a single-
family home, or as a duplex. In addition, it could be constructed with one, two or three storeys, to suit a
variety of needs and budgets. Furthermore, the design incorporates a storage space stacked on each
floor, for an optional wheelchair elevator. All this unique flexibility, presently not available on the housing
market, will facilitate stable residencies, and create safe and caring neighbourhoods.
From the environmental point of view, FlexSola will require less natural resources and energy
than conventional housing. Furthermore, the ecological footprint of the house will be reduced by its green
roof, which will give back to nature a large portion of the land covered by the building. Complemented by
an optional greenhouse, the private rooftop will be an outdoor oasis for leisure, pets, or to grow organic
fruits and vegetables; a most attractive selling feature for the nature lovers.

2. FlexSola Type A & B

3. Sample Front Elevation of 3 two storey + 3 three storey units
The FlexSola Type A may be expanded from an initial one storey 728 sq ft unit, to 1456 sq ft two
storeys, or to 2096 sq ft three storeys, with minimum disruptions to the occupants. This is achieved by
designing the initial flat roof as a future floor, and by using state-of-the-art steel framing and concrete
technology. The staircase to access the roof, the sunroom and the green roof assembly, are all features
that may be added later.
The facades will be high-tech, appropriate for the twenty-first century. An overhead metal
structure can be erected on the roof terrace, to support solar panels, which can also act as sunshades;
they will be installed with optimum orientation for maximum efficiency. The surplus electricity they will
produce will be stored in batteries, or converted to hydrogen, obtained from water through hydrolysis. The
owner will also have the option of selling electricity to the grid. The oxygen, also produced through
hydrolysis, could be sold or used to improve the interior air quality. On cloudy days, a small hydrogen
burning generator could be used for back up heat and to produce electricity and pure water.
The building will have built-in passive solar heating, with distribution ducts running through the
open floor space. The surplus heat will be stored in the concrete floors and will be supplemented by the
radiant floor heating generated through a geo-thermal system. This combination of renewable energy
sources will provide comfortable and efficient heating and cooling.
Technologically advanced materials and systems will be used to create adaptable, comfortable
and healthy housing. The use of open lightweight steel joists and suspended ceiling tiles will allow for
easy installation and future modification of the mechanical and electrical systems. A “smart house”
computer control system can also be easily installed anytime through the wall and floor spaces. All
interior partitions will be non-load bearing and may be relocated as desired.
The house will require very low maintenance and will not produce any harmful emissions. By
using non-combustible construction, the house will also have lower fire insurance premiums.

4. FlexSola Type C
FlexSola Type C is a wider unit, which can be developed as townhouse, semi-detached or
detached housing. Depending on site, it can also accommodate an attached garage
.
Floor Plan Rooftop Terrace

5. Dual Axis Solar Tracking Device
One solar unit has four photovoltaic panels mounted on a metal frame, supported by the roof
parapet and elevated above the rooftop terrace. It can produce approx. 1Kw of electricity. The number of
units required depends on lifestyle and habits, and additional units may be easily added in the future.
The author has designed a Dual Axis Solar Tracking Device (DASTD) to support photovoltaic
panels, which can be mounted on the parapet at locations that would not cause shading of the rooftop
garden. The steel pivoting support with counterweight is designed for easy adjustment to solar altitude
and azimuth. The Rooftop Terrace plan shows the appropriate locations when the front is facing south.
The number of DASTD’s is subject of the owner’s budget, the electricity to be generated for
personal consumption or to be sold to the grid. The system has the great advantage of flexibility of
location and production efficiency over conventional solar panels mounted on pitched roofs.
Dual Axis Solar Tracking Device (DASTD)

6. The sample of FlexSola Type A & C Streetscape illustrates the flexibility of the FlexSola concept.
It shows a combination of one, two & three storey type A & C units, in townhouse and semi-detached
configure
Sample of FlexSola Type A & C Streetscape

7. FlexSola Benefits
1. Allows for multi-generational family living
2. Making home ownership more affordable
3. It can grow in time
4. Offers neighbourly security and assistance
5. Facilitates home care for seniors
6. Provides adaptability of the living space
7. It is ideal for people who need two residences, such as “snow birds”
8. Provides a private outdoor space on the roof
9. Has comfortable radiant floor heating, ideal for seniors
10. Eliminates most allergens from interior finishes
11. Strengthens community neighbourhood spirit
12. Potential rental income
13. Ground floor may have a separate office for home business
14. Low maintenance requirements
16. Potential electricity generation
17. Growing fruits and vegetables on the roof
18. Reduced insurance premiums due to non-combustible construction
19. Saving on CMHC mortgage insurance
20. Reduced moving costs
21. Longer building life span
22. Higher resale value
Following are several housing market trends that make FlexSola attractive to a wide range of
buyers:
Aging population: An increasing number of elderly people seek more convenient forms of
housing that have less space and lower maintenance; housing that can also provide them with outside
assistance. Many homeowners sell their houses and move into apartments or "trendy" one-storey
condominiums. Then, as they become less self-reliant, most move to some form of senior housing that is
suitable to their income. Moving is stressful, especially for seniors, but for many it is the only alternative
available at the present. FlexSola also offers an ideal home for snowbirds. They can fly south in the
winter without leaving their house vacant.
Changes in family lifestyles: As the older generation ages, there is a trend to live with adult
children, rather than in nursing homes. The grandparents become part of a larger family; they are cared
for and contribute to the wellbeing of all, especially the grandchildren. They can provide free, high quality
childcare in families where both, or the single parent(s) work.
Accommodating people with disabilities: There is growing awareness for the needs of the
physically and mentally challenged. The last few years have brought new building code regulations,
active contribution from numerous organizations and broader acceptance by the public. There is a trend
towards integrating people with disabilities into the community. FlexSola offers a unique solution for
making the entire home barrier free, through its stacked storage space, which can accommodate an
elevator with minimum disruptions and cost.

8. Increasing number of self-employed: Due to downsizing, the army of small entrepreneurs is
growing steadily. To keep overhead costs low, many self-employed are obliged to use part of their
homes to run their businesses. This is a return to the times when many houses, especially on Main
Street, had a shop at the ground floor with flats above. The increase in communication technologies will
allow more people to work from home with TV links to the “virtual office”. This frees up locations so homes
could go in the best locations for communities rather than the cheapest place to build.
The economic factor: Many people are searching for more affordable housing and new sources
of income. The affordability of FlexSola is achieved in two ways: firstly, the purchaser can start with an
initial smaller and lower priced unit and expand it later; secondly, the home itself can become a source of
revenues. Also, due to financial restraints, more families are forced to pull back together. Young adults
who cannot find work have to live with their parents; parents who could not save for retirement have to
live with their children. The rising cost of energy and long term maintenance is becoming another
determinant factor in selecting a home. FlexSola will have much lower maintenance costs. This is due to
its high energy conservation standards. And finally, being virtually non-combustible, FlexSola will secure
lower long term insurance premiums, over a longer lifespan than conventional housing.
The social factor: Many social problems, such as crime, juvenile delinquency, child abuse,
vandalism, neglect, etc., can be alleviated by creating integrated communities. Staying in one place for a
long time creates a sense of belonging and caring. Home ownership strengthens urban communities and
can be made affordable with new innovative forms of housing.
Urban renewal: There is a growing acceptance today of the fact that society cannot afford to let
urban sprawl continue. The environmental, economic and social costs are becoming more and more
evident. New planning ideas and concepts that focus on better management of resources, especially land
and infrastructure, are gaining ground. Infill and higher density residential developments work towards
preserving the natural environment and farm land and also revitalizing downtowns. Compact, two/three
storey dwelling units can compete effectively with conventional houses. FlexSola is ideal for creating
economically sustainable residential communities.
Environmental awareness: The number of people who are environmentally conscious is
growing rapidly. The trend in home buyers’ expectations is towards sustainable housing. By reducing the
need for energy and natural resources, FlexSola will meet and exceed these expectations.
Target Market: FlexSola will break into a housing market, which is thirsty for something new that
would meet the immediate and long term needs of a growing number of consumers: new home buyers,
empty nesters, snow birds, people with special needs, ethnic groups with extended family traditions, etc.
First home buyers will have the choice of starting with a small unit and enlarge it later, or partnering and
buying a larger unit. FlexSola could be particularly attractive to seniors and to those who care for them.
Each unit can fluctuate between a single family home and a duplex; this allows for independent living.
Thanks to its sustainability and reduced footprint on the land, FlexSola will also appeal to the
environmentally conscious home buyer, not satisfied with the wasteful conventional housing presently
available.
Competitive Edge: In view of the survey and trends described above, there is a demonstrated
growing demand for housing that combines the adaptability, accessibility and affordability of FlexHousing
with healthy housing, energy conservation and low maintenance. FlexSola will offer such housing,
presently not available on the market. Most presently available forms of housing have been targeted for
specific types of individuals and families based on age, mobility, income, and so on. Such housing makes
it difficult to accommodate changing needs within the same home. Therefore, by providing a much
needed alternative, FlexSola will have a competitive edge over the competition.

9. Economic Projections for FlexSola Type A
To assess the economic viability of the FlexSola Type A design, certain assumptions were made
based on current home ownership trends. Based on these assumptions, FlexSola appears to be
economically viable and attractive compared to other homes currently available on the market. The
economic projections indicate that, due to all the potential financial benefits, the initial investment in a
FlexSola unit could be recovered in less than twenty years.
From the financial point of view, considering that a large percentage of a house’s purchase price
is covered by a mortgage, a conventional home is in fact a liability to the owner, in spite of its long-term
equity buildup. In contrast, FlexSola becomes a financial asset from the beginning thanks to the
revenues it can generate and the long-term savings on energy and maintenance.
The following considerations should appeal to the informed homebuyers and housing providers.
All costs indicated are rough estimates based on the information available to the author, and shall be
verified and confirmed at the time of construction.
The estimated construction cost for a three storey FlexSola Type A unit, of 2096 ft2, is $230,000
(excluding land, development charges and other soft costs). Compared with a conventional townhouse of
similar size, a FlexSola Type A unit would cost up to $30,000 more, required to provide the following
features:
A. FlexHousing™ Design Features (based on award-wining design): $ 1,000
B. Green Roof, Terrace & Staircase (to replace a pitched roof): $ 9,000
C. Concrete & Steel Structure (to replace wood framing): $ 4,600
D. Radiant Floor Heating (to replace conventional forced air heating): $ 3,400
E. Solar panels: $12,000
Total additional cost: $30,000
The above features provide the following corresponding benefits which make FlexSola an
economically viable and sustainable alternative over conventional townhouses currently available on the
market:
A. Adaptability, Accessibility & Affordability features accomplished with the unique design, which
has won the CMHC national award. Initial affordability is achieved either by starting with a smaller
unit (one or two floors), or by using a two or three storey unit as a duplex.
B. The green roof saves energy, lowers roof maintenance over the life of the building, and
provides space for growing fruits & vegetables.
C. The concrete & steel structure is safe, durable and energy efficient due to thermal mass. It
also extends the life of the building well beyond what is expected from a conventional townhouse.
D. The radiant floor heating is most comfortable and energy efficient. It can also be easily
integrated into a geothermal heating & cooling system.
E. The solar panels will produce electricity allowing the owner to take advantage of lucrative feed-
in tariff programs.

10. The additional cost required to construct FlexSola should be considered as a profitable
investment for achieving the following objectives:
1. Improved safety, health & comfort
2. Energy efficiency
3. Low maintenance
4. Revenue generation
Following is a comparison of projected live-in costs between a Conventional Townhouse and a
FlexSola Type A unit using its full revenue-generating potential. It appears that FlexSola will be a
profitable investment and could pay for itself in less than 20 years.
Conventional Townhouse
Month Year 10years
Heating (*): $ 90 $1,080 $12,960
Electricity (*): $130 $1,560 $18,720
Maintenance (*): $ 80 $ 960 $11,520
House insurance (*): $ 70 $ 840 $10,080
Moving (**): $ 0 $1,000 $ 2,000
Total expenses: $370 $5,440 $55,280
FlexSola Type A
Month Year 10years
Heating (*): $ 30 $ 360 $ 3,600
Electricity (*): $ 50 $ 600 $ 7,200
Maintenance (*) no roof maintenance required: $ 20 $ 240 $ 2,880
House insurance (*) for non-combustible construction: $ 50 $ 600 $ 7,200
Moving (**): $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Total expenses: $150 $1,800 $20,880
Notes:
* These expenses will most likely escalate in the future. 2% per year increase, without
compounding, is included in the calculation.
** 2 moves over 10 years are included in the calculation.
Approximate reduced expenses of FlexSola
Type A unit, after 10 years, as compared with a
conventional townhouse ($55,280 - $20,880): $34,400

11. FlexSola Type A potential revenues
Month Year 10years
Rent (*): $700 $8,400 $100,000
Food (*): $100 $1,200 $ 14,000
Total Revenue: $800 $9,600 $115,200
Approximate net gain of FlexSola Type A unit, after 10 years,
as compared with a conventional townhouse ($34,400 +
$115,200): $149,600
This long-term net gain will make FlexSola a profitable investment to a wide range of home
owners; an investment made affordable through flexibility of choice and initial purchase price, associated
with flexibility of use and potential revenues. This is a great choice that FlexSola will offer; a choice
presently not available on the market.