Windsor man comes under fire for building 'extreme' $500K 'solar house'

'Solar house' shown on the far left. (Image: CBC)

Saturday, December 13, 2014, 5:40 PM - A Windsor, Ont., man has come under fire for what he calls a 'solar house', despite complying with city rules and regulations.

The building rises 10 metres (32 ft.) into the air. 

Owner Aleks Stevanov tells the CBC the project is completely legal. 

"A single slope is unusual to look at. It’s large," he told the news agency. "My lot is 128 feet wide, why can’t I have a 100-foot wide house? I can. It’s permitted." 

GS Engineering Consultants owner Albert Schepers is working on the project and calls it "a roof for a roof."

"It’s unique in that the solar panels are to be used as the roofing system. However, it’s a bit experimental," he said. "The roof looks large because it’s projecting in one direction. The back is tall but the front of the home is actually quite short, no different than a single family residence." 

But not everyone is on board. Some neighbours are calling it an eyesore and worry that it will lower the value of their homes.

"We don’t have a concern with solar panels on a house and making money off the grid. But this is an extreme case. It’s just too big. It’s too industrial-like," neighbour Greig Howe says. 

SEE ALSO: Deadlock between rich and poor nations threatens success of Lima climate conference

Stevanov says the structure -- which is costing him $500,000 -- complies with city bylaws, and it could be the way of the future. 

Once its complete, he says the house will allow him to generate enough electricity to power a small store.

"We’re trying to develop a roof you can drop onto a regular roof. I think it’d be nice to see a whole street of solar roofs." 

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH: New solar panel jackets!

With files from CBC.