Excerpt and Photo from princeedwardisland.ca
Plans for the Cleantech Park in Georgetown, which include the Cleantech Innovation Centre (CIC), were made public today.
CIC will house the Cleantech Academy, a joint initiative between Holland College and UPEI. Students will work collaboratively with local industry to develop cutting-edge environmental solutions that can be brought to market.
Early design plans include net-zero ready elements. Demonstrating the province’s commitment to carbon sequestering, the building will use an exposed timber structural system. It will be as airtight as possible, reducing the amount of energy used by the building with passive solar windows, along with planted and reflective roof surfaces.
The building’s planned solar panels will not only generate energy but will also be a roof top classroom where various types of solar panels can be installed so students and researchers can study, test and collect solar energy data in real-world conditions. Digital dashboards will be located throughout the centre to show instant readings on the building’s energy use and energy savings.
The inaugural program, unveiled by the Cleantech Academy in partnership with Holland College, is the post-graduate certificate in Sustainable Business Leadership(link is external). This program is designed to empower students with the knowledge, essential skills, and practical experience required to spearhead organizations toward sustainable practices and implement innovative cleantech solutions.