Windsor, ON — November 12, 2025

 

Solify is proud to announce its selection as the exclusive solar-energy provider for the University of Windsor’s groundbreaking 3D-printed net-zero housing project — one of Canada’s first large-scale demonstrations of sustainable, 3D-printed residential construction.

Located at 1025 California Avenue, the project will serve as a living laboratory for research, innovation, and workforce training in sustainable construction and clean-energy integration.
👉 Read the University announcement

 

A Living Lab for Sustainable Innovation

The project will house seven residential units designed primarily for students, with a strong research component led by Dr. Sreekanta Das, Professor and Associate Dean of Research & Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Engineering.

“This 3D-printed housing project aims to be a net-zero building, offering a sort of living lab for our researchers and an innovative solution for rapid and affordable home construction.”
(University of Windsor)

This initiative brings together academia, industry, and government support, including FedDev Ontario and provincial funding programs like the Save on Energy Commercial Solar Program.

Why Net-Zero and Solar Are Essential

With Ontario facing electricity cost increases of up to 28%, achieving net-zero performance is not just environmentally responsible but also financially prudent. By combining additive manufacturing with renewable energy systems and high-efficiency building methods, the University of Windsor project provides a replicable model for sustainable and affordable housing.

Solify’s involvement ensures the building will operate as a self-sustaining clean-energy model, integrating a high-performance solar-photovoltaic (PV) system to offset electricity demand and reduce carbon emissions.

 

Solify’s Role in the Project

Solify is responsible for the full design, supply, installation, and monitoring of the solar system, including:

• Feasibility & System Design: Evaluating energy requirements and solar potential for rooftops and building facades.
• Installation & Commissioning: Turnkey solar installation, including inverters and real-time performance monitoring.
• Long-Term Data & Maintenance: Ongoing analytics and support for researchers to optimize system performance.

This project illustrates how commercial solar solutions can integrate with innovative construction methods to reduce costs, improve resiliency, and create scalable, net-zero-ready housing.

 

Training and Research Impact

The initiative provides hands-on experience for students, engineers, and industry professionals. Solify’s solar monitoring systems allow researchers to collect real-world energy data, supporting studies in energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and net-zero building performance.

Community and Industry Collaboration

The project highlights collaboration between the University of Windsor, government agencies, and industry partners such as Axe Buildings and BK Cornerstone Design Build Ltd. This partnership demonstrates how technology and collaboration can address housing affordability, energy efficiency, and sustainability simultaneously.

Project Timeline

• Construction Start: Spring 2026
  The 3D-printed building will begin construction in late 2025, with walls, beams, and columns fabricated using gantry-mounted 3D concrete printers in Leamington, ON. This advanced construction method allows for faster assembly, material efficiency, and precise integration of sustainable building systems.
• Expected Completion: Summer 2027
  The project is slated for completion by Summer 2026. Once finished, the building will serve as a living lab for students, researchers, and industry partners to study net-zero building performance and the integration of solar energy in 3D-printed structures.
• Units: 7 Residential Units
  The building will house seven residential units designed primarily for students, featuring high-efficiency insulation, energy-efficient appliances, and fully integrated solar energy systems. Each unit will contribute to data collection and research, helping the University evaluate long-term energy performance.
• Solify’s Role in Solar Installation
  Solify will coordinate the solar PV system installation alongside envelope, mechanical, and electrical work. This includes:
  • Designing and engineering the solar system to match building energy loads.
  • Installing panels, inverters, and monitoring equipment for real-time energy performance tracking.
  • Ensuring seamless commissioning and certification of the building as a fully net-zero structure.
  • Providing ongoing monitoring and data reporting to support research on energy efficiency and renewable integration.

By combining 3D printing, high-efficiency building systems, and Solify’s solar technology, the project will deliver a scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective housing model for educational institutions and future residential developments across Canada.

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