Solar photovoltaics design and installation at an undergraduate college.
ORAL
Abstract
We will describe strategies for integrating education with the design and creation of sustainable infrastructure on campus.~ Teams of students in our Energy Systems classes, working together over 3 years, drove the design and installation of a major photovoltaic (PV) system on the Evergreen State College campus. We collaborated with solar power professionals, campus staff, and funding agencies.~ Student teams performed solar power capacity analyses using diverse methods and tools.~ They measured and calculated the production capacity of campus buildings and sites for PV, solar thermal, and other power production options.~ They studied each building for suitability, working with campus Facilities staff.~ Students continued the work through summer research and several classes, mentoring new students over the years. We prepared feasibility, engineering, and cost-benefit analyses.~ The student-funded Clean Energy Committee and the Department of Commerce jointly supported this project for {\$}150,000.~ In 2017, Evergreen's 20 kW photovoltaic system was completed on our Tacoma campus.~
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