Solar Panels at NWACC

David Campos, Marisa Keeland, & Kathy Nguyen

David Campos, Marisa Keeland, and Kathy Nguyen.

Melody Thomas, Instructor

Project Proposal/Thesis• The main initiation is to get NWACC’s future building, located

at SE Eagle Way, near the Shewmaker Center, to install solar panels on their roofs. As of date, the building has not yet been constructed, but there has been proposals and floor plans for the future construction of the building. This will allow NWACC to conserve much more energy by using solar energy rather than standard electricity. Not only will this be cheaper in the future, but once again, the faculty and students at NWACC will experience a more natural, clean, and more prominent learning environment.

Project Proposal/Thesis Contd.• Since NWACC has yet to construct the new building, this

project will mainly be informative pertaining to the benefits of installing solar panels for the future roof of the new building. First, we must get approval from NWACC’s administration to execute this project, and get the floor for references. We will also be seeking estimated donation amounts and grants from local banks and government funds, if possible. We will also contact local or nearby installation companies for the best qualities with affordable prices. Most importantly, we want to advocate a more energy conserving college.

Air Pollution & Effects• Human activities can release several harmful gases and

substances that are destructive to animals, humans, and the environment.

• Types:– Holes in the Ozone Layer“Black Carbon Pollution” - .0001 inches of particles that are released due

to the burning of coals for energy (diesel smoke).– Exhaust from burning fuels in cars, houses, factories, etc.– Noxious Gases

• Sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, & chemical vapors.• Creates chemical reactions that can form into smog and acid rain after

they are released in the atmosphere.

What is solar energy?• Definition: electromagnetic energy dispersed

from the sun’s radiation. • Solar Constant : the average amount of solar

radiation that comes in contact with Earth’s upper atmosphere. – Solar constant is 1366-1367 Watts per square

meter.

Conversion• Photovoltaic: direct conversion of sunlight to

energy.– Can absorb light photons and release electrons.– Once electrons are released, creates an electric

current that can be generated as electricity.– First experimented by French physicist Edmund

Bequerel in 1839.• Uses photovoltaic cells (also known as solar cells),

made from semiconductor materials (silicon).

Solar Panel

Example

How to Convert Solar Power into Electricity

• Uses photovoltaic (PV) cells, also known as solar cells. – Made up of treated silicon wafer with p-n junction.– When the photon’s light strikes the top of the wafer,

it cuts across the p-n junctions and frees electrons, which crosses into the n-type region.

– This then creates a voltage of about 0.5-0.6 volts when it is not connected to an unload circuit.

– If the circuit is loaded, the PV cell can produce up to 0.5-2.0 watts of electrical power.

PV Cell

Simpler version: how it works

Solar Panels

• Also known as PV systems.– Uses crystalline silicon, which absorbs light with greater

competence. – Panels are built in layers, which have protective layers on the

top layer and on the bottom layer, has a polymer backing. – Top layer has to be electrically negative, and bottom is

electrically positive, which causes electrons in the silicon cells to be loose and eventually falls down to the sun to travel from the bottom to the top layer.

– The cells then passes through the electrical contacts in the top layer and go through a circuit to produce electrical power.

Maximum Power• Panels generate its maximum voltage when it is in full

sunlight with no load.– The voltage is called an open circuit voltage (Voc).– When the load increases, the output voltage decreases in a

non-linear manner until the maximum output current (short circuit current a.k.a Isc) of the panel is accomplished.

– Several panels can be constructed and wired together to produce much higher voltages and power levels.

– If PV cells are connected to solar panels, they can produce up to 20 V in open circuit, and about 16-17 V at its maximum power.

Simple Layout

Detailed Layout – The Preferred Choice

How much energy can be produced?

• Varies.• Example: a solar panel with one square meter can produce at

least 150 watts of power for thirty years, without maintenance.

• Voltage generated by the panels can stay the same despite any fluctuating weather, but the power may vary.

Factors to Consider• Light intensity.

– Maximum sunlight intensity is 1.000 W/m squared.• Number of daylight hours of sunlight exposure.

– Panel’s power stated in peak watts (the number of watts it produces). • Angle of panels.

– Sun’s rays should at least be perpendicular to panels and sunlight should hit them at a 90 degree angle.

Effectiveness of Solar Panels• Can produce electricity under hot or cool conditions. • Effectiveness depends on location, depending which side

and angles the panels will be installed, basically, most solar exposure. – Southern climates: north-facing side– Northern climates: south-facing side

• Each city is different too. - If building or city does not get at least 6 hours of sunlight, it will not get much energy. - For example, Arizona will have better quality because of the constant exposure of sunlight on their buildings.

…Solar panels so what now…

PLAN: NWACC TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS AT NEW BUILDING

Major Benefits• Reduces local and air pollution.

– Will naturally decrease any dangerous gases. – Will also reduce the amount of energy from gas (diesel) generators.

• Conserves energy.– PV solar panels will provide most of the better lighting instead of

regular electricity, thus making it cheaper in the long run.• Clean, safe, and unlimited.• Saves more money.• Saves the environment.

Goal• To get approval from NWACC to initiate and carry out the plan

to install solar panels on the roofs of the new building.– Even if it does not get immediate approval or gets carried out at the

time of the actual construction, hopefully, in the future, it will be fully executed.

• Getting grants and donations from banks or other willing sponsors.

• Writing grants.• Contacting local solar panel installation companies with

affordable prices.• Getting floor plans of the new building.

Community Benefits

• Awareness of environment.• Proposes the decrease harmful usages of carbon

dioxide, sulfur, and other harmful gases.• Better living environment.

Step-by-Step ProcessJILL WAGAR BANK

SPONSORSHIPINSTALLATION COMPANIES

GOVERNMENTAID/FUNDS

NWACC’S APPROVAL

Get floor plans from Jill Wagar, CFRE, Associate Vice President for Development at NWACC

Contact Arvest (Bentonville) for interest in sponsorship

Contact Sun Solar City: John Gerrard

Cannot get any information

Up to any group in the future

Approval and obtain for IRS Documentation

E-mail Michelle Fittro from Marketing Dept.

Ask about installation prices, etc.

Downloaded forms to complete and fax to Ms. FittroWaiting for approval and donation estimate

New Building Floor Plans

Total area of building: 40,000 square feet.

Completed and faxed on 24 October 2008

Arvest Approval• 10 November 2008: estimated sponsorship/donation

approved by Michelle Fittro– Possible amount: $1,000.00 since yet to become a reality

Sun City Solar Energy: OK & AR

• Consultant: John Gerrard• Standard Estimates:

– Gave general information because needed a more descriptive blue print to give exact estimates, look at roof top, and hot water plans.

– All solar panels made by Mitsubishi.– Will probably get 30% of solar tax rebate.

7 kw 13 kw 32 kw

$50,000 $90,000 $200,000

Sun City Solar Energy • For any more future information go to:

http://www.suncityenergy.com/solarpower.html or call any of these locations: – Tulsa:918.494.0886– OKC: 405.842.3800– Texas: 903.487.0834– Arkansas: 479.422.7037

• John Gerrard contact information:– 479-422-7037

toll free 866-407-0527jgerrard@suncityenergy.comwww.SunCityEnergy.com

Regional Map

K-12 Schools with Solar Success

• Smith Middle School (Chapel Hill, NC)– 256 square feet of solar hot water collectors– 2,000 Watt of solar photovoltaic system.– Solar hot water system provides 1/3 of school’s

hot water.– School’s strategy: energy-efficient renovation that

emphasized on “daylighting,” which in three years it saved money and conserved energy.

K-12 Schools with Solar Success

• Ogelthorpe County High School (Lexington, GA)– First project executed in the Georgia Solar School’s program.– Planned and organized by both students and teachers and other solar

groups in their community.– Has 1.5 kW pole-mounted Kyocera PV panels.– Contains a software that is used to track its electrical output.– PV panels and other related programs and usages are now a part of

their curriculum, which was provided by the Florida Solar Energy Center and the Georgia School’s Program.

– Sponsorships/donations: state’s energy office and Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority

K-12 Schools with Solar Success

• Woodward Academy (Atlanta, GA)– Second project for Georgia Solar Schools Program.– Proposed and organized by students, teachers, and environmental and

solar groups in their community.– 1.8 kW pole-mounted PV panels (which will later become a “solar

park” for their school).– System installed with software; used to track its electrical output.– PV panels, uses, and related software are now part of the curriculum.– Curriculum supported by the Florida Energy Center and the Georgia

Solar Schools Program.

K-12 Schools with Solar Success

• Terry Parker High School (Jacksonville, FL)– Panels installed in 1999– PV system generates 4 kW– “Solar classroom” is possible because their system can handle it.– Donations/grants: Solar Education Project and Jacksonville Electric

Authority

K-12 Schools with Solar Success

• Oregon Solar Schools– Bend-La Pine Middle School

• Teamed up with the University of Oregon to install a 5 kW PV system on its roof.• Pacific Power (local utility) pays customers to produce solar power.

– Montessori School of Beaverton (outside of Portland)• Will be installing a 6 kW PV system on its roof.• This system will be a part of the school’s curriculum & school will organize

community tours to demonstrate solar energy/power in Oregon.

– Mosier Community School• Special PV system: 4.4 kW with a pole-mounted system• Able to track the sun through its system to increase its efficiency.

Overall Outcome & Future Plans

Since we could not obtain any further permission from getting grants and we did not get any desired responses back from NWACC’s construction project/administrator, our project was solely informative. In addition, we only got basic information regarding grants and estimation prices of solar panels. Hopefully, for a future project, there will any group who will attempt to get this plan executed so that NWACC for an environmentally better facility for all faculty and students.

Works Cited"How Do Solar Panels Work?." GLREA. 22 SEP 2008 <

http://www.glrea.org/articles/howDoSolarPanelsWork.html>.

Knier, Gil. "How do Photovoltaics Work?." Science@NASA. 17 OCT 2008 <http://science.nas.gov/headlines/y2002/solarcells.htm>.

"Natural Gas and the Environment." NaturalGas.org. 17 OCT 2008 <http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp>.

Perry, Pam. "Solar Panels." Trusty Guides. 23 SEP 2008 <http://www.trustyguides.com/solar-panels.html>.

“Solar America Cities Website.” 13 DEC 2008 <http://www.solaramericacities.energy.gov/Cities.aspx >.

Works Cited“Solar Energy: Power from the Sun.” 10 SEP 2008 <

http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=23052 >.

"Solar Panels for Homes." 10 SEP 2008 <www.professorshouse.com/your-home/environmentally-friendly/solar-panels-for-homes.aspx >.

"Solar Power Guide." 17 OCT 2008 <http://www.generators.smps.us/solarpower.html >.

"Sun Solar Energy Oklahoma and Arkansas ." Solar Tax Rebate. Sun City Energy. 29 OCT 2008 <http://www.suncityenergy.com/solarrebate.html>.

"Solar Technology Successes in Schools." Southface. 22 SEP 2008 <http://southface.org/solar/solar-roadmap/institutional%20solar/solar-tech-success_schools.htm>.

References/Contacts• Michelle Fittro

- From Arvest’s Bank Marketing Dept.• John Gerrard

- Sun City Solar Energy of the Ozarks• Jim Hall

- Executive Director of Governmental Relations• Jim Lay

– Director of Construction Projects• Steve Pelphrey

– Executive Director of Risk Management and Finance

References/Contacts• Ricky Thompkins

- Grants• Jill Wagar

– CFRE, Associate Vice President for Development at NWACC

Technology

• PowerPoint • Digital Camera• Internet

Image credits• Google Images• Southface: Solar Technology Successes in Schools– http://southface.org/solar/solar-roadmap/institutional%20

solar/solar-tech-success_schools.htm• Solutions for Businesses: Standard Renewable Energy– http://www.sre3.com/solutions.do?pageId=businesssoluti

ons&mcid=1