Solar Panels at NWACC
David Campos, Marisa Keeland, and Kathy Nguyen.
Melody Thomas, Instructor
David Campos, Marisa Keeland, &
Kathy Nguyen
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.
Solar
Panel
• Uses photovoltaic cells (also known as solar cells),
made from semiconductor materials (silicon).
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 Process
JILL WAGAR
BANK
SPONSORSHIP
INSTALLATION
COMPANIES
GOVERNMENT
AID/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. Fittro
Waiting 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:
7 kw
13 kw
32 kw
$50,000
$90,000
$200,000
– 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.
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 866-407-0527
jgerrard@suncityenergy.com
www.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/yourhome/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-techsuccess_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/solarroadmap/institutional%20solar/solar-techsuccess_schools.htm
• Solutions for Businesses: Standard Renewable Energy
– http://www.sre3.com/solutions.do?pageId=businesssoluti
ons&mcid=1