Renewable energy generates payback: Western studies 

A Western University study shows that, even in northern climates, combining residential solar power with heat pumps can be a profitable investment. Representative photo by Kindel Media of Pexels In a northern landscape that's often cold and dark, heat pumps can afford Ontarians one of the most environmentally friendly sources of warmth in winter and cooling in summer. Now a pair of recent studies shows that powering a heat pump with solar energy doesn't just help save the planet - it can be profitable, too. The analysis by Western engineering professor Joshua Pearce is the first to examine whether the financial payback of solar-plus-heat-pump is worth the extra upfront cost than heating with natural gas or propane. "Of course, it has made environmental sense all along, but this is the first time we've crossed the threshold into being a good economic bet. You're basically decimating your carbon footprint and making a bit of money at the same time," said Pearce, who is Western's John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and holds a shared appointment in Engineering and at Western's Ivey School of Business. First, Pearce analyzed the policies and heating sources in the sister cities of Sault Ste.