A local research scientist eager to share information about his passion for solar energy is one of many Nova Scotia Community College staff hosting the college’s first ever Solar Saturday event.
Alain Joseph has received funding to carry out his work investigating how solar energy can be used in this region. He’ll be answering questions during this weekend’s event and he and NSCC staff will provide demonstrations highlighting a variety of solar energy technologies.
“(Joseph’s research) is based on the feasibility of using solar energy in your home. The study took two years and is just about complete,” explained Michaela McIntosh, Applied Energy Research Coordinator at the Nova Scotia Community College.
“He wanted to see how well it would work in Atlantic Canada’s climate. We don’t get a lot of sun (year round) and it can be cold, damp and dark. I can’t talk about the results because the grant is not finished, but there are pretty positive results.”
Those results include development of unique ideas and systems they plan to propose to companies that may be interested in pursuing solar energy for a wide range of applications.
Depending on its success, this weekend’s public event could be the first in a series. McIntosh said visitors will get an idea about how solar energy can be applied as an alternative to other energy and heating methods.
In addition to refreshments and demonstrations, family friendly hands-on activities will be offered. Sundial construction and solar car races are on the agenda, and junior and high school students interested in energy, solar technology, sustainability and green energy are encouraged to attend.
“A lot of people don’t know about the (NSCC Applied Sciences) programs..There’s a lot of focus on sustainability and environmental technologies and different sorts of energy,” McIntosh explained. “Biothermal, wind, tidal, geomatics. We want to let people know that NSCC has an applied research department. We exist and we have done some really cool stuff.”
The Sept. 22 Solar Saturday family-fun information event takes place at the NSCC’s Waterfront Campus, 80 Mawiomi Place near the Woodside Ferry Terminal between 10 a.m. and noon. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 23.
The event is sponsored in part by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in conjunction with NSCC.
To learn more about Solar Saturday, email McIntosh at michaelaleahmcintosh@gmail.com follow the department on Twitter, https://twitter.com/NSCCResearch or visit the website at www.nscc.ca/appliedresearch .
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
