Photovoltaic Design and Installation,Bucknell University Solar Scholars Program,Presenters: Colin Davies 08 Eric Fournier 08,Outline,Why Renewable Energy? The Science of Photovoltaics System Configurations Principle Design Elements The Solar Scholars program at Bucknell (walking tour),Whats wrong with this picture?,Pollution from burning fossil fuels leads to an increase in greenhouse gases, acid rain, and the degradation of public health.,In 2005, the U.S. emitted 2,513,609 metric tons of carbon dioxide, 10,340 metric tons of sulfur dioxide, and 3,961 metric tons of nitrogen oxides from its power plants.,40%,85% of our energy consumption is from fossil fuels!,Why Sustainable Energy Matters,The worlds current energy system is built around fossil fuels Problems: Fossil fuel reserves are ultimately finite Two-thirds of the world s proven oil reserves are locating in the Middle-East and North Africa (which can lead to political and economic instability),Why Sustainable Energy Matters,Detrimental environmental impacts Extraction (mining operations) Combustion Global warming? (could lead to significant changes in the world s climate system, leading to a rise in sea level and disruption of agriculture and ecosystems),A Sustainable Energy Future,Develop and deploy renewable energy sources on a much wider scale Bring down cost of renewable energy Make improvements in the efficiency of energy conversion, distribution, and use,Three Methods: - Incentives - Economy of scale - Regulation,Making the Change to Renewable Energy,Solar Geothermal Wind Hydroelectric,Todays Solar Picture,Germany leads solar production (over 4.5 times more then US production) Japan is 2nd (nearly 3 times more then US production) this is mainly due to incentives Financial Incentives Investment subsidies: cost of installation of a system is subsidized Net metering: the electricity utility buys PV electricity from the producer under a multiyear contract at a guaranteed rate Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs),Solar in Pennsylvania,Pennsylvania is in fact a leader in renewable energy Incentives Local handle with care! Keep batteries out of living space, and vent battery box to the outside Use a spill containment vessel Dont mix batteries (different types or old with new) Always disconnect batteries, and make sure tools have insulated handles to prevent short circuiting,Battery Wiring Considerations,Battery wiring leads should leave the battery bank from opposite corners Ensures equal charging and discharging; prolongs battery life Make sure configuration of battery bank allows for proper connections to be easily made,Controllers efficiency comparison,Practical Efficiency Recommendations,For every $1 spent on energy efficiency, you save $3-$5 on system cost Adopt a load dominated approach Do it efficiently Do it another way Do with less Do without Do it using DC power Do it while the sun shines,Typical Wattage Requirements,Appliances to Avoid,Electric oven or stove Electric space heater Dishwasher with heaters Electric water heater Electric clothes dryer,Improving Energy Efficiency in the Home,Space Heating: Super insulation Passive solar design Wood stoves Propane Solar hot water Radiant Floor/ baseboard Efficient windows,Domestic hot water heating Solar thermal Propane/natural gas No electric heaters On demand hot water,Improving Energy Efficiency in the Home,Kitchen Stoves Solar cookers Gas burners- no glow bar ignition Microwaves Washing machines High efficiency horizontal axis,Cooling Ceiling fans Window shades Evaporative cooling Insulation Trees Reflective attic cover Attic fan,Phantom Loads,Phantom Loads,Cost the United States: $3 Billion / year 10 power plants 18 million tons of CO2 More pollution than 6 million cars TVs and VCRs alone cost the US $1 Billion/year in lost electricity,Lighting Efficiency,Factors effecting light efficiency Type of light Positioning of lights Fixture design Color of ceilings and walls Placement of switches,Incandescent Lamps,Advantages Most common Least expensive Pleasing light,Disadvantages Low efficiency Short life 750 hours,Electricity is conducted through a filament which resists the flow of electricity, heats up, and glows Efficiency increases as lamp wattage increases FROM THE POWER PLANT TO YOUR HOME INCANDESCENT BULBS ARE LESS THAN 2% EFFICIENCT,Fluorescent Bulbs,Les wattage, same amount of lumens Longer life (10,000 hours) May have difficulty starting in cold environments Not good for lights that are repeatedly turned on and off Contain a small amount of mercury,Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lights,Advantages Extremely efficient Long life (100,000 hours) Rugged No radio frequency interference,Disadvantages Expensive (although prices are decreasing steadily) A relatively new technology,Mounting,Part 8: Learning Objectives,Evaluate structural considerations List hardware requirements Pros and cons of different mounting techniques,General Considerations,Weather characteristics Wind inte