The ice storm 25 years later: Quebec family says their solar-powered home is the way of the future
Twenty-five years ago this week, Quebec was plunged into one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history.
The 1998 ice storm left thousands in the dark for days after freezing rain pelted the province and damaged hydro wires.
Jose Legris remembers scrambling to keep his family fed, firing up the barbeque and braving the outside elements.
"We had to use our imagination to survive in that situation," Legris said.
These days, it would be a different story. His home in Mascouche, Que. is outfitted with an array of solar panels generating power for every appliance and light switch.
"You need to keep your showers short," said his wife, Aurora Pinzon, "and consider your energy usage throughout the day," adding that’s what homeowners should be doing in any house.
Emmanuel Cosgrove, the director of ecohome.net, a resource to help residents build and renovate their homes in a sustainable way, said Legris' house is a pilot project for what could be the model for many other homes by 2050.
"This home looks like any other home, but it's actually net zero, meaning it produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis," he said.
"This is basically a snapshot of the future home in Canada, and it's right here in Mascouche."
Last year, Hydro-Quebec pledged to look into solar tech like this to boost the power grid.
To go carbon neutral, it needs to generate 100 more terawatt hours — more than half its current capacity.
Cosgrove said installing a system like this costs around $20,000, a high cost for a single person or family, but not an energy utility.
"The roofs are already there, the infrastructure is already in place. All we have to do is put the panels on … create a place for the wiring, and away we go," he said.
"It’s not a massive infrastructure for a public utility like Hydro-Quebec."
He hopes the idea catches on in order to cut down on excess emissions and to protect families from future storms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.