WATERLOO - North House, an advanced solar-powered home being developed by Team North, will hold two receptions this week in Cambridge and Toronto to launch the next phase of this timely project.

Team North, which involves students and faculty at the University of Waterloo, Ryerson University and Simon Fraser University, along with industry partners, is one of only two Canadian entries selected to participate in the prestigious 2009 Solar Decathlon competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The decathlon will be held Oct. 9-18 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., drawing 20 university teams with prototype solar homes from around the world. The teams will each build a full-scale house to compete in 10 categories measuring quality and performance.

Team North will develop North House -- a marketable solar-powered home for people with active lifestyles. The team aims to combine green building, solar and interactive technologies in order to reduce energy demand, foster a conservation ethic and boost the quality of life for Canadians.

Guest speaker at both gala events this week will be Richard King, director of the Solar Decathlon. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 5 to 8 p.m., Bulthaup Showroom, 280 King St. E., Toronto. Thursday, Feb. 12 to 10 p.m., UW school of architecture, 7 Melville St. S., Cambridge