Engineering Commons^™

Investigation Of Reflective Materials For The Solar Cooker, Florida Solar Energy Center, John Harrison

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A critical task in developing a solar cooker is to identify reflector materials that would be both suitable for this application as well as economical. FSEC has conducted an extensive search for available reflective materials. This has included contacting reflective materials manufacturers as well as national laboratories that are currently working with private industry in developing reflector that can be used primarily on large concentrating solar energy devices. This investigation used a variety of resources. These included the FSEC solar library, web search engines, solar industry catalogs and directories, personal contacts, aluminum industry sources, solar cooker discussion groups, and a …

Industry Guide To Selecting The Best Residential Window Options For The Florida Climate (Revised), Florida Solar Energy Center, Ross Mccluney

FSEC Energy Research Center®

It used to be said that windows are little more than holes in the insulation. It is true to some extent that poorly insulated and drafty windows in certain climates defeat the purpose of wall insulation. However, modern high performance windows are almost as good as opaque insulated wall sections, at least in terms of total energy savings over long periods of time. In some cases, they can be shown to actually out-perform insulated walls. Of course, they have the priceless additional benefits of providing views to the outdoors and natural daylight illumination indoors important issues of quality and comfort. …

Moisture Problems In Manufactured Housing: Probable Causes And Cures, Florida Solar Energy Center, Neil Moyer

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A significant number of new manufactured houses built to HUD code and located in the hot, humid Southeast are experiencing moisture problems. Soft wallboards, buckled floors, damaged wood molding and extensive mold growth are the most common symptoms. These problems do not respond to the standard service and repair strategies for water intrusion

At the request of four manufacturers, over twenty-five such moisture damaged homes were investigated in 1999 and 2000 to determine likely causes. One time blower door, duct tightness and pressure differential measurements were performed on all homes. Field data on ambient, crawlspace, belly and house temperatures and …

An Analysis Of Greenhouse Cookpot Design Considerations For Low-Cost Solar Cookers., Florida Solar Energy Center, Philip Fairey

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This analysis is prepared as part of a research project on low-cost solar cookers conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center for the Dorothy Ann Foundation on behalf of Solar Household Energy, Inc. The overall purpose of the research project is to improve the performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness of low-cost solar cookers for use in developing nations. The analysis reported here concentrates solely on the cookpot and "greenhouse" design considerations for such systems.

Lightweight Cigs2 Thin-Film Solar Cells On Stainless Steel Foil, Florida Solar Energy Center, Neelkanth Dhere

FSEC Energy Research Center®

AM 0 PV parameters of large-grain, {112} orientated chalcopyrite CIGS2 thin films solar cells on 127µm thick SS flexible foil for space power were: V_oc = 802.9 mV, J_sc = 25.07 mA/cm², FF = 60.06%, and efficiency 0 = 8.84%. Detailed current versus voltage analysis gave values of series resistance Rs, shunt resistance Rp, diodefactor A, and reverse saturation current Jo of ~0.1 Ω cm2, ~600 Ω cm2, ~2.2 and ~1.85x10^-8 A cm^-2 respectively. Asharp QE cutoff was observed at CIGS2 bandgap of ~1.50 eV. Higher foil roughness resulted in a preliminary low 4.06% …

Study Of Delamination In Acceleration Tested Pv Modules, Florida Solar Energy Center, Neelkanth Dhere

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The average adhesional shear strength at silicon cell/EVA interface in damp-heat, acceleration-tested modules was ~27% of that measured in new modules. The average carbon concentration at the surface of samples extracted from acceleration tested modules was 15 atomic % or ~30% of that measured in new modules. Surface concentrations of sodium on Si-cell samples from the acceleration tested modules ranged from 4.9 to 22.0 atomic %while those of phosphorous ranged from 4.3 to 7.1 at. %. These are very high impurity concentrations. Often small concentrations of phosphorous were detected at the interface between titanium oxide antireflection coating and silicon cell. …

Preliminary Evaluation Of Energy-Efficiency Improvements To Modular Classrooms, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The objective of our investigation is to evaluate innovations that would enable modular classroom builders to improve the energy performance of their classrooms. We investigate improved insulation, better windows, daylighting, cross-ventilation, sensible and latent heat recovery of ventilation air and light colored surfaces and radiant barriers for cooling dominated climates. The tasks associated with this work are as follows:

• Create a simulation software.
• Establish a baseline reference building using a standard modular classroom building.
• Parametric evaluation of the impact of ventilation and school schedule on energy use.
• Determine the feasibility of improving insulation and envelope systems.
• Determine the feasibility of …

Evaluate Deployment Of Photovoltaic Systems For Disasters, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

In 1996, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), developed a program with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide photovoltaic electrical power in disasters. In support of this effort, DOE purchased eight PV-generator trailers which were constructed in 1998 and supplied to FEMA for deployment in disaster response efforts. This report describes past and present use of the trailers, their depot location, list maintenance data, and the viability of the trailers in a disaster.

Photovoltaics In Disaster Management, Florida Solar Energy Center, William Young

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Man made or natural, disasters can happen at any time, often with little or no advance warning. Major disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, tornados, and earthquakes, can leave many people without adequate medical services, potable water, electrical service and communications. They can be as destructive as Hurricane Mitch leaving several hundred-thousand people homeless or as minor as an afternoon thunderstorm knocking down local power lines to your home.

In response to a disaster, photovoltaic (solar electric) modules offer a source of quiet, safe, pollution-free electrical power. Photovoltaic (PV) power systems are capable of providing the electrical needs for vaccine refrigerators, …

Solar Cooker Reflector Optical Evaluation And Design Evolution, Florida Solar Energy Center, Ross Mccluney

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Solar Cooker Reflector Optical Evaluation and Design Evolution

Developing An Implementation Plan For The Arkansas Msri Coalition Workshop Summary - Final Report, Florida Solar Energy Center, Jennifer Szaro

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Workshop conducted to develop an implementation plan for the Arkansas Million Solar Roofs Initiative.

Developing An Implementation Plan For The Alaskan Msri Coalition Workshop Summary - Final Report, Florida Solar Energy Center, Gerard Ventre

FSEC Energy Research Center®

Workshop conducted to develop and implementation plan for the Alaskan Million Solar Roofs Initiative.

Typical Photovoltaic System For A Commercial Building, Florida Solar Energy Center, Gobind Atmaram

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This paper covers the design and installation of an 11 peak kilowatt (kWp) grid-connected photovoltaic system on the roof of the new facilities at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC7). The main objectives of this work are to demonstrate the application of photovoltaics (PV) as a demand-side management option for meeting peak commercial electric loads and provide a typical PV array and system design for commercial buildings. The PV array consists of 48 ASE America=s EFG ribbon silicon modules and is interfaced with three Omnion 4kW power conditioners. The complete array and system electrical design and installation were performed by …

Fsec Procedure For Testing Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems, Florida Solar Energy Center

FSEC Energy Research Center®

This procedure is based on IEEE P1526/D1, Draft Recommended Practice for Testing the Performance of Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems. The system performance is based upon how well it can charge the battery. The usable battery capacity is measured by charging and discharging the battery three separate times. The tests are designed to test the overall system performance in the span of about one month.

The Importance Of Site Surveys In Florida's Pv Buildings Program, Florida Solar Energy Center, Kevin Lynn

FSEC Energy Research Center®

One of the goals of the Florida PV Buildings Program is to ensure that only quality utility-interactive PV systems are installed in the state. One important component of the Program is the site survey. The purpose of the site survey is to inspect the potential location for PV system before beginning construction, ensuring it is a sensible place to install it. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the method used by this Program and to present some examples that will demonstrate why it is important.

Fpc Residential Monitoring Project: New Technology Development Radiant Barrier Pilot Project, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program. The objective was to examine how the retrofit of attic radiant barriers can be expected to alter FPC residential space conditioning loads. An RBS consists of a layer of aluminum foil fastened to roof decking or roof trusses to block radiant heat transfer between the hot roof surface and the attic below. The radiant barrier can significantly lower summer heat transfer to the attic insulation and to the cooling duct system. Both of these mechanisms have strong potential impacts on cooling energy use as …

Executive Summary - Fpc Residential Monitoring Project: New Technology Development Radiant Barrier Pilot Project, Florida Solar Energy Center, Danny Parker

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program. The objective was to examine how the retrofit of attic radiant barriers can be expected to alter FPC residential space conditioning loads. An RBS consists of a layer of aluminum foil fastened to roof decking or roof trusses to block radiant heat transfer between the hot roof surface and the attic below. The radiant barrier can significantly lower summer heat transfer to the attic insulation and to the cooling duct system. Both of these mechanisms have strong potential impacts on cooling energy use as …