Community Energy Center

College of the Atlantic

Powering a fossil fuel-free future

A student wearing PPE and a headlamp working on filling a rafter space on campus with insulation.

The Community Energy Center (CEC) is College of the Atlantic’s hub for clean energy innovation and education. Founded on the principle that local action fuels global change, the CEC combines student research, community collaboration, and data-driven solutions to help COA—and surrounding Downeast Maine communities—transition away from fossil fuels.

What we do

Sustainability, strategy, and student leadership

The Community Energy Center empowers students and partners to take on the most pressing energy challenges of our time—affordably, equitably, and with creativity at the core. Our work spans homes, campuses, businesses, and communities, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with real-world energy issues while building the skills, confidence, and leadership capacity needed for meaningful change.

We collaborate across sectors to conduct home and building energy audits, design renewable energy systems such as rooftop solar arrays and heat pumps, and support teachers, civic leaders, and professionals through hands-on training and development. Our team is also deeply involved in policy exploration, financing strategies, and implementation planning that help communities transition toward clean energy. Within COA, we play a key role in guiding the college toward its 2030 fossil fuel–free commitment, ensuring that sustainability is not just a goal but a lived practice.

Current Projects

Hands-on work with real-world impact

Our current initiatives include:

Fossil Fuel-Free Campus Plan: Student-driven roadmap including solar expansion and deep energy retrofits
Maine Energy Upgrade Program: A regional project to make home energy improvements more accessible
STARS Reporting and Metrics: Annual energy and emissions audits for internal and national benchmarking
Educator Workshops with Envirolution: Teaching the next generation about sustainability and energy

Come learn, build, and lead with us

Student Involvement

Whether you’re interested in solar, batteries, data science, communication, or public policy, the CEC has a role for you. Students participate through:

Class-based projects and research
Work-study jobs and internships
Independent studies and senior projects
Fieldwork and energy lab collaboration

Browse Past Projects

Community connections

From campus to county—and beyond

The Community Energy Center works closely with towns, nonprofits, and residents across Hancock County and coastal Maine, strengthening the region’s capacity to pursue affordable and sustainable energy solutions. Our outreach takes many forms, from building community solar partnerships and expanding access to public EV chargers to advising organizations on grant-funded building upgrades that improve efficiency and resilience.

We also serve as a resource hub for emissions-reduction strategies, offering guidance, tools, and collaborative support to help communities navigate the transition to cleaner energy systems. Through these relationships, the CEC extends the impact of COA’s mission well beyond campus, fostering a connected network of local partners committed to a more sustainable future.