QSEC

ABOUT THE QSEC
The Queen’s Solar Educational Centre (QSEC) is a prefabricated home that will be outfitted with sustainable technologies, including solar energy. The home will firstly act as a research tool for engineering students at Queen’s. Research includes, but is not limited to, developing motorized blinds that respond to variations in light and temperature, a net zero home irrigation system, a storm water collection and reuse system, and passive and active solar techniques. Beyond its research purposes, the QSEC will also act as an educational tool for the community at large. We hope to use the home to inspire the Kingston community to demand more from their homes. Within the home, we will be featuring energy-efficient products and technologies from local retailers in the hopes that Kingston homeowners will retrofit their homes and strive to live more sustainably. Furthermore, we plan to hold educational tours for local elementary schools in partnership with the AMS Youth Mentoring Youth Program and the Limestone District School Board.


In terms of our long-term goals, the test facility will give our team design and construction experience as we prepare for the forthcoming Solar Decathlon proposal. We strongly believe the knowledge we gain from building the QSEC and conducting tests will set us apart in our application.

FEATURED TECHNOLOGIES AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS:
- Deck made with FSC lumber finished with an environmental stain
- Net zero home irrigation system
- Evacuated tube solar collectors
- Light shelves
- Photovoltaic solar panels
- Solar thermal panels
- Energy Star windows
- Eco-friendly cement siding
- Sustainable hardwood flooring: marmoleum, sustainable forestry hardwood, reclaimed wood
- Smart blinds that respond to variations in temperature and light
- Passive solar techniques
- Mechanical systems that convert solar energy
- Low VOC, recycled paint

EVENTS
Featured Events
No new events – check back to this page for updates!
To visit the Queen’s Solar Educational Centre, book a tour by sending an email to info@qsdt.ca.


Past Events
What: Queen’s Solar Educational Centre Grand Unveiling
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th, 11:30am
Where: @ the QSEC, on the corner of Union and Division directly east of the Physical Education Centre (69 Union Street)
Other details: Formal remarks will begin at 12pm and will include speakers such as the Town Crier, Mayor Gerretsen, and Dean Kim Woodhouse (Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science). Afterward, we will open up the home for public touring. Light refreshments will be served. This is a family event, and will include activities for children.
If you would like more information, please contact us at info@qsdt.ca. We sincerely look forward to seeing you there!
Update: The Grand Unveiling of the Queen’s Solar Educational Centre was a huge success! Thank you to all who attended the event, and a special thanks to all of our generous sponsors!

Check out the evolution of our conceptual design for the home: