Research:
-A solar variablility study may still be needed in order to establish how much energy can be produced on any given day.
-Assess the feasibility of a larger solar array somewhere on campus (7-8 Acres =1 Megawatt)
-Implementing Educational Purposes: Dr. Rowley’s GEOG 235 (energy Resources), GEOG 245 (Weather and Climate)
Which company should be utilized: The Solar Network- group that works with Universities to implement solar (midWest Renewable Energy Association) Nonprofit coalition- Alden
Working with Alden Shepherd at Invenergy- Has an Excel sheet of others’ completed projects. Noted these places- Tennesee Knoxville larger parking lot use. Eaton (has charger ports- only an electric lot)
Funding:Looking into different grants outside of OWU, such as EPA, OWU resources are TPG, alumni (through Advancement’s fundraising and in encouraging Board of Trustees)
Parking lot between Beeghly and Corns
Other Projects researched
- Partial parking lot canopy with plug-in availability for electric vehicles
- With canopy and array- were able to go completely off of the city’s energy grid within a year.
- State and federal grants from the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Energy Efficiency and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- Company: Solscient Energy
- Pollinator-friendly project (1st of its’ kind- presents research questions)
- Sustainability Coordinator (Carbon neutral campus by 2030)
- Dashboard to see energy production
- Difficulties- neighbors sued because of zoning
- Company: Third Sun Solar
Potential ways to Implement
- Advancement may be able to have electric shuttles or what have you for assisting. Prefers residential side of campus.
- A smaller, feasible project that Advancement can ‘sell’ as a package to donors, such as a solar panel picnic table.
Other Notes–
Potential space for an array in parking lot between Beeghly and Corns is approximately 1,510 sqft, according to an analysis done utilizing the Delaware County Auditor’s GIS website