Proposal: Energy Projectat Duke Farms,

Hillsborough, NJ

Trecia AshmanPaola Barry

Zarina Zayasortiz

Proposal

ME 423

October 5, 2004

Objective Generate electric power using a photovoltaic

cogeneration system for Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ

Explore another method for the generation of electricity using a renewable resource

Mission of Duke Farms

Serve as a model of land stewardship and open space preservation for education and public enjoyment

Duke Farms Foundation

Objective of Duke Farms

1. Advance the practice of environmental planning, horticulture, landscape architecture and the stewardship of natural resources through academic and professional programs

2. Provide a beautiful place where visitors can enjoy the landscape and horticulture and learn about the environment through public programs, school activities and family recreation.

Reasons for Duke Farms’ Utilization of Project Certain potentials for energy development onsite One of the first steps towards an ongoing partnership between Stevens and Duke Farms Always had an interest in this type of technology

Concern for the environment Great willingness to utilize innovative technology

“Preserve the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke’s properties”

Approach to Problem

Solar group investigated: How PV cell works Average amount of sunlight in NJ area Efficiency of cells vs. amount of land needed

After reading about this project, the team was divided into two groups:

Co-generation group investigated: How cogeneration works Benefits of co-generation Economics of the process

Approach (cont.)

Weekly meetings to report findings

Case study performed using an average home in NJ for sample calculations

used as a scale for the Duke Farms Project

Gantt Chart

Solar Energy

first built in the 1950’s with an efficiency of 4%

PV cells convert sunlight to electricity

Light knocks e- loose from atoms for easy movement

Sunlight Distribution

Estimated Solar Energy For The Contiguous United States 

Kilowatt Hours Per Region

Worst Case Scenario

Our Case Study Models a typical home in NJ Took into account the group’s research findings:

NJ receives on average 4.6 hrs of sunlight per day, per year

PV systems in the Northern Hemisphere should point south

The system should be inclined at an angle equal to the area’s latitude

1Kw system generates 1,250Kwhr/yr Typical home uses about 8,500Kwh/yr

Our Case Study (cont.) Using the information that the group

gathered:

This means it would take a 6.8 Kw system to run this house for the year without any other power source.

8.6/1250

/8500

yearKwhr

yearKwhr

Our Case Study (cont.) By using the following chart, this would take

approximately 2,040 ft2 is using cells with 4% efficiency.

PV Module Efficiency (%)

PV Capacity Rating(Watts)

100 250 500 1000 2000 4000 10000 100000

4 30 75 150 300 600 1200 3000 30000

8 15 38 75 150 300 600 1500 15000

12 10 25 50 100 200 400 1000 10000

16 8 20 40 80 160 320 800 8000

Numbers in blue represent the amount of area (ft2) needed

Montville, NJ Case Study 4,000 sq. ft. home in

NJ. The system included

36, 167 watt solar energy modules installed on the south roof and the west roof the garage.

A total of 6,012 watts of peak power is capable of being generated from this system.

Case Study (cont.)

Case Study (cont.)Costs of the system:

$45,000 $31,215 rebate received from NJ Clean Energy

Program Total Cost to the homeowner was $13,785,

not including the $2,000 Federal Tax Credit that is still pending

Case Study (cont.)PV System Savings Summary

Peak Power Output (watts) 6,012

annual Energy Output (Kwh/yr) 6,598

First Year Energy Savings $755.00

Total Energy Savings (30 yr life) $50,137.00

Avoided C02 (tons) (30 yr life) 259

Avoided Nox (pounds) (30 yr life) 962

Avoided SO2 (pounds) (30 yr life) 1,323

Locked in Net Cost/Kwh (30 yr life) $0.07

Tax Free Rate of Return 9.10%

Net Present Value $4,892.00

Increased Home Value $15,093.00

Photovoltaic System Advantages Environmentally-friendly Free fuel (sunlight) Extremely safe and reliable Can supply onsite electrical loads or back-feed the grid Any excess power needed can be supplied from the electric utility

Photovoltaic System Advantages

Can be designed for variety of applications and operational requirements

No moving parts, is modular, easily expandable, and easily transportable

Can be used either for centralized or distributed power generation

Minimal maintenance and low failure rates

Financial Incentives for Photovoltaic System Mainstay Energy Program

Sales of green tags Solar Renewable Energy Certificates

Renewable attributes of solar generation Solar and Wind Energy Systems Exemption

Sales tax exemption

Financial Incentives for Photovoltaic System Renewable Energy Advanced Power Program

Awards of up to 20% total construction costs Renewable Energy Economic Development Program

Funding for development of renewable energy businesses and technologies

New Jersey Clean Energy Rebate Program Rebates of up to 70% installed cost

Alternate Designs

Lease Equipment

Lease Land

Direct Contracting

Outsourcing for Design

Answers Needed from Duke

What is the basis for the Farms’ interest in this technology?

Are there any economic advantages? Different uses of electricity in the

facility? Pricing? What constraints are there on potential locations?

Feasibility of self-maintained and operated facility?

Contact with any prospective energy company leasers?

Any aesthetic constraints?

Anticipated Problems

Cloudy days

Economic Feasibility

Communicating with

Duke Farms

Site Visit

Budget/ Expenses

Deliverables

Feasibility study Alternative design concepts for photovoltaic

cogeneration at Duke Farms Prioritize alternatives according to technical

and economic practicality

A written progress report will be submitted at the end of the Fall 2004 Semester containing the following:

Questions?