Campus Solar Projects and Opportunities for Student Involvement

1. Campus Solar Projects and Opportunities for Student Involvement By Caitlin Bonney, Bryan Cosgrove, Kelsey Martin, & Kate Workman

2. http://solar-winds.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/solar_energy.jpghttp://solar-winds.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/solar_energy.jpg

3. 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

4. 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

5. What is solar power? • Nuclear diffusion • Solar energy travels to earth at the speed of light of 186,000 miles per second.

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. Harnessing Solar Energy Photovoltaic Cells (PV) Solar Thermal Systems http://spectrum.ieee.org/image/46370

10. 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

11. Photovoltaic Cells

12. 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 How do solar thermal systems work? http://www.homecoenergy.co.uk/images/pic4.jpg

13. Solar Thermal Systems

14. 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 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3886816095_f86c8ef4f0.jpg

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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/

18. http://www.flickr.com/photos/forward2friends/4653327826/sizes/m/in/photostream/http://www.flickr.com/photos/forward2friends/4653327826/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/forwardthismessages/4643578434/sizes/m/in/photostream/

19. The University of Richmond Pursuit of Solar Panels for the Robins Stadium • 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

20. Student Involvement in Solar Energy Initiatives http://wildcat.arizona.edu/polopoly_fs/1.1712581!/image/3401266483.jpg

21. “Experiential, Project-Based Learning” Bardaglio and Putman 171 . 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.

22. The University of Richmond A Solar Pilot Project • 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

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

24. An Interdisciplinary Approach to Student Involvement http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0120a5de5317970b-600wi

25. The University of Richmond Student Involvement In Solar Pilot Project • 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)

26. Works Cited Bardaglio, 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.