Campus Solar Projects and Opportunities for Student Involvement

Campus Solar Projects and

Opportunities for

Student Involvement

By Caitlin Bonney, Bryan Cosgrove, Kelsey Martin, & Kate Workman

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Global Warming and CO2 Assessment

Greenhouse gases contributing to climate change: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide

Rising sea levels, major flooding, storms, losses of certain ecosystems, global health problems, increased mortality, and large reductions in the gross national product of many countries

7 billion tons of CO2 released into atmosphere every year

U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Review 2009, Tables1.3, 2.1b-2.1f , 10.3, and 10.4.http://www.eia.doe.gov/aer/pecss_diagram.html

What is solar power?

Nuclear diffusion

Solar energy travels to earth at the speed of light of 186,000 miles per second.

Why is solar power better than fossil fuels?

Free (not considering technologies) Limitless Less CO2 emitted No international relation problems (as there

are with oil)

Why is solar energy better than other renewable energy sources?

Can be used in a variety of locations and sizes Small- and large-scale settings

Works well with other forms of energy  Energy from the sun can heat water and

create electricity

Future Prospects of Solar Plants

Solar energy can supply 40-80% of a sector’s energy demand

2005: 92% reduction in carbon emissions 2015: CSP electricity prices at $0.10/kWh 2050: 69% of electricity needs and 35% of

total energy needs 2100: 90% of U.S. energy demand

Harnessing Solar Energy

• Photovoltaic Cells (PV)•Solar Thermal Systems

http://spectrum.ieee.org/image/46370

How do photovoltaic (PV) cells work?

Semiconducting material is attached to a panel and installed in a sunny area

Photons in sun's rays cause electrons in PV material to move electrical current

Inverter changes the current to a usable form of energy

Photovoltaic Cells

How do solar

thermal systems

work? A collector is mounted in a sunny area Liquid is run through the pipes and the heat

from the panel is transferred to water The hot water goes into the home's hot

water storage tank and used when needed

http://www.homecoenergy.co.uk/images/pic4.jpg

Solar Thermal Systems

Small-Scale Solar Systems

Efficiency is not limited by the number of panels

Individual solar collectors can be directly installed on buildings

Minimal space required to implement solar collectors

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Benefits of Domestic Solar Systems

Eliminates excess expenses of transporting hot water

Water is more likely to retain heat due to small travel distance

Can be used in remote locations Although homeowner must purchase

system, tax rebates are available

Large-Scale Solar Systems

Photovoltaic systems Applicable for large scale buildings and

structures Can be mounted and positioned in many

different ways to achieve optimal sunlight

Taiwan Solar Stadium

First 100% solar powered stadium in the world

8,844 solar panels Seats 55,000 Can generate 1.14

million kilowatts of power

http://www.flickr.com/photos/forwardthismessages/4643578316/sizes/m/in/photostream/

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Research fitting the Robins Stadium with photovoltaic solar panels

Could offset energy expenditures of scoreboard and lighting

Potential locations of panels: roof of press box and angled on sides of towers

May influence higher LEED certification for stadium

The University of RichmondPursuit of Solar Panels for the Robins Stadium

Student Involvement in Solar Energy Initiatives

http://wildcat.arizona.edu/polopoly_fs/1.1712581!/image/3401266483.jpg

“Experiential, Project-Based Learning”

In this type of environment, students will “internalize the concept of sustainability, and carry it in practice beyond academia into a greater society.” Dawson 21.

Bardaglio and Putman 171 .

The University of Richmond

Installation of one 80-gallon solar thermal system (two panels) and one 2-kW solar electrical system (ten panels) on the roof of a University Forest Apartment in the 1600-block

Location chosen due to its southwest direction and clear skies for unlimited access to sunlight

University’s in-house electricians may install systems

Project will be complete before the 2011-2012 school year

A Solar Pilot Project

Project Proposal from One Contractor - *Project design has not been finalized

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Student Involvement

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0120a5de5317970b-600wi

The University of Richmond

Promotion & Installation Phase Students in the arts – publications and

creative projects to spark students’ interests in solar energy

Students in the sciences – participate in fieldwork

Academic group or class to learn about solar and renewable energy

Energy monitoring system for research across multiple disciplines (i.e. economics, environmental studies, physics and other natural sciences)

Student Involvement In Solar Pilot Project

Works CitedBardaglio, Peter, and Andrea Putman. Boldly Sustainable: Hope and

Opportunity for Higher Education in the Age of Climate Change. Washington D.C.: National Association of College and University Business Officers, 2009.

Bullis, Kevin. "Solar's Great Leap Forward." Technology Review (Cambridge, Mass.: 1998) 113.4 (2010): 52-7. General Science Full Text. Web. 8 Nov. 2010.

Dawson, Ashley. "Greening the Campus." Radical Teacher. 78 (April 2007): 19-23. Print.

Department of Energy, 20 Oct. 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12850>.

Gore, Albert. Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis. Emmaus, PA: Rodale, 2009

Roeb, M. (2010). "Concentrating on Solar Electricity and Fuels". Science (New York, N.Y.) (0036-8075), 329 (5993), p. 773.