Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Solar Panel Array Saves Money, Provides Hands-On Engineering Experience, Mark D. Weinstein

News Releases

Ten percent of all annual energy used by Cedarville University — the energy that powers the foaming machines at its coffee shop, charges students’ laptops in the residence halls and allows worship music to play through the speakers at chapel — comes from Cedarville’s solar array located just southwest of campus. This eco-friendly array saves money, encourages engineering research and fosters community between the university and the Village of Cedarville.

Remote Sensing Of The Environmental Impacts Of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Plants, Mohammad Masih Edalat

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Solar energy has many environmental benefits compared with fossil fuels but solar farming can have environmental impacts especially during construction and development. Thus, in order to enhance environmental sustainability, it is imperative to understand the environmental impacts of utility-scale solar energy (USSE) plants. During recent decades, remote sensing techniques and geographic information systems have become standard techniques in environmental applications. In this study, the environmental impacts of USSE plants are investigated by analyzing changes to land surface characteristics using remote sensing. The surface characteristics studied include land cover, land surface temperature, and hydrological response whereas changes are mapped by comparing …

To What Degree Do Retail Electricity Prices Inform Residential Solar Energy Investment Decisions?, Megan M. Davitt

Economics Honors Projects

The relationship between electricity price and household solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption has not been thoroughly studied. How much would a carbon tax, and increase in electricity price, spur growth in residential solar? This paper adds to the literature with a utility-level panel analysis. Consumer choice theory provides the framework for the empirical models. I use electricity price and net metered solar PV capacity data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Through a variety of specifications, I control for both utility and state-year effects. My findings suggest that electricity price is significantly positively correlated with solar adoption, with an estimated price …

University Of Richmond Sustainability Report, Robert Andrejewski

Reports

The 2016 University of Richmond Sustainability Report represents where we are now, recognizes significant accomplishments, and provides a launching point for future endeavors. We all have a role to play in the continued stewardship of this great place.

This document presents a summary of the data we collected. It serves the dual role of providing information on the considerable sustainability efforts underway and establishes a benchmark for our efforts as we move forward. There is much to be celebrated, and there is much to be done.

Nevada’S Net Energy Metering Experience: The Making Of A Policy Eclipse?, Sanya Carley, Lincoln L. Davies

Brookings Mountain West Publications

Developments in Nevada pose important questions about the future of solar power and net metering in the United States. What information and processes led to Nevada’s decision? Was the information that decision-makers considered consistent with best practices and with the information relied on by other states? How does Nevada’s decision compare with other states evaluating changes to their net metering policies?

Community Distributed Solar Power: Advancing The Establishment Of Solar Power In Pennsylvania, Reid Harrison, Shaunna Barnhart

Student Project Reports

No abstract provided.

Solar Panels Make Financial, Environmental Impact, Mark D. Weinstein

News Releases

Cedarville University’s solar power array, the largest to be directly connected to any university in Ohio, has made a significant environmental and financial impact through its first three years of operation.

The system has been very useful in in reducing the University’s carbon footprint, while also providing a significant financial benefit.

Nevada: Powered By The Sun: The Impact And Potential Of Rooftop Solar In Nevada, Robert E. Lang

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

Rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) and distributed energy resources can deliver net benefits to Nevadans today and, if thoughtfully utilized, play a significant role in Nevada’s energy future. However, these benefits are not being fully realized in practice today. Narrow accounting of distributed resources’ contribution to the grid, financial disincentives embedded in utility regulatory models, and outdated grid planning procedures are preventing full utilization of these assets. But these obstacles can be readily overcome. Doing so will deliver benefits to all Nevadans, as well as cement Nevada’s position as a leader in the transition to a clean, resilient, and affordable electric …

Opportunities For Conversion To More Sustainable Practices By Houses Of Worship Through Team Performance Enhancing Strategies That Include Leadership With Facilitative Skills, Carolina Del Carmen Saiz

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

This research focused on assessing the performance of teams of volunteers in Houses of Worship (HOWs) in the State of Massachusetts that are successfully planning, advancing and completing sustainable initiatives. The sustainable initiatives included solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, city public parks cleaning projects, efficient windows installations, efficient lighting fixtures installations, and building insulation improvements. The goal of this research was to assess the dynamics of a total of eight successful teams, including the relationships among team members and their leaders with facilitative skills that they perceived were instrumental to their effective and efficient performance. The role of team leadership was …

Solar Panels Strengthen Academics, Mark D. Weinstein

News Releases

When Cedarville University began developing its solar array field—the largest connected to any university in Ohio—back in April 2013, the primary purpose was to create new streams of energy on campus. But for Cedarville’s engineering students, the benefits since the installation have become more than just financial.

Tom Thompson, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering, started using the solar fields last year to help teach his Topics in Mechanical Engineering class. He focused on analyzing practical applications for solar energy. He also used the field to prompt discussions about the growth of photovoltaic power and the feasibility of using solar …

What Role Can An International Financial Centre’S Law Play In The Development Of A Sunrise Industry? The Case Of Hong Kong And Solar Powered Investments, Bryane Michael

Bryane Michael (bryane.michael@stcatz.ox.ac.uk)

How can international financial centres like Hong Kong increase assets under management – and thus their size and ranking? Most policymakers and their advisors wrongly answer this question by focusing on financial institutions, and the law that governs them. Instead, policymakers need to start by looking at actual markets. What new tastes and technologies need funding? How can such funding fit into already existing geographies of production, distribution and finance? In this paper, we show how a focus on funding sunrise industries can help increase assets under management for the financial institutions operating in an international financial centre like Hong …

Chilean Renewable Energy Investment Potential With Technology Transfer, Kyle Herman

Dr. Kyle S. Herman

For potential for investment in Chilean renewable energy investment is promising. After the Chicago boys effectively transformed the Chilean economy into a haven for FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) during the 1980’s, government laws have aligned definitively with neo-liberal policy—in other words, open markets, incentives for investors, public-private partnerships and consistent injections of capital into its financial markets. This article explore these components and highlights investment potential and offers policy advice.

Energy And Environment Policy Case For A Global Project, Thomas A. Faunce

Thomas A Faunce

A policy case is made for a global project on artificial photosynthesis including its scientific justification, potential governance structure and funding mechanisms.

Danish Wind Energy Innovation, Kyle S. Herman

Dr. Kyle S. Herman

This article compares the exceptional Danish wind energy innovation system with the system employed by the US government. The underlying assumption about innovation systems in the US is that they are technologically driven, and past technological advances can be built upon leading to break-through innovations. However in Denmark, innovation was driven from citizens and relied on no break-through technologies, but rather a piecemeal process of collective, smaller innovations. For wind energy, this process was far more successful than the technologically driven innovation system in the US.

Slides: The Peril Of Energy Usage, Mike Tupper

The Promise and Peril of Oil Shale Development (February 5)

Presenter: Mike Tupper, Executive Vice President, Composite Technology Development, Inc.

9 slides

A Gis Analysis On Possible Photovoltaic Cell Use For Energy Reduction During Peak Hours In Huntington, West Virginia, James Eric Tadlock

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Solar panels are one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies. This study aims to identify to what extent roof-mounted solar panels can reduce the need of power provided by Appalachian Power Company. Data from the Reliability First Corporation was employed to determine the individual average household power usage. Three study areas in Huntington, West Virginia, were selected to determine if solar panels could be implemented. Roofs in the study areas were digitized to calculate the available area. Based on the average household usage, four different sized photovoltaic systems were determined. Potential power production was computed to identify any offset …

Renewable Energy - The Future Is Now, Thomas Fair

UNLV Renewable Energy Symposium

This inaugural event is dedicated to showcasing the renewable/sustainable energy projects of UNLV faculty, staff, students, and collaborators, as well as other external projects underway statewide and nationally. The development and utilization of new technologies to protect the environment, achieve energy independence, and strengthen the economy will be explored. Speakers and poster-session presenters will provide further insight to many ongoing projects and innovative research ideas.

Organized by UNLV’s Office of Strategic Energy Programs, the event offers participants the opportunity to learn about energy projects and will encourage networking and collaboration. This symposium is intended for researchers, educators, students, policy makers, …

Action On Global Warming: Making Room For Tribal Governments In The New Kind Of Wedge Issue, Dean B. Suagee

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Dean B. Suagee, Of Counsel, Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker LLP, Washington, D.C.

1 page.

Solar And Wind Energy Development In Maine: 1973-1997, Evan Rallis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Focusing on how Maine reflected, as well as stood out from national trends in the development of wind and solar energy, this study concentrates particularly on how Maine state government and environmental groups contributed to this development, as well as on the technological progress of these energy sources. It draws primarily on state government documents, newspapers, and periodicals for evidence. The 1973-74 energy crisis, combined with the rise of the environmental movement, led to an increased exploration of alternative energy sources, in particular those that were relatively friendly to the environment like solar and wind energy. Attempts to utilize these …

Long-Range Planning Cost Model For Support Of Future Space Missions By The Deep Space Network, J. S. Sherif, Donald S. Remer, H. R. Buchanan

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

A simple model is suggested to do long-range planning cost estimates for Deep Space Network (DSP) support of future space missions. The model estimates total DSN preparation costs and the annual distribution of these costs for long-range budgetary planning. The cost model is based on actual DSN preparation costs from four space missions: Galileo, Voyager (Uranus), Voyager (Neptune), and Magellan. The model was tested against the four projects and gave cost estimates that range from 18 percent above the actual total preparation costs of the projects to 25 percent below. The model was also compared to two other independent projects: …

Energy Sustainability: The Case Of Photovoltaics, Abram Walden Kaplan

Honors Papers

In this thesis I will address three large issues related to the development of this solar electric technology: First, I wish to demonstrate that photovoltaics offer significant advantages over traditional, nonrenewable energy sources- that they are superior to the technologies now used. Part I thus consists of a comparative analysis of coal-fired power plants, nuclear fission plants, and photovoltaics. These are widely seen as the most likely options in American electricity generation. Each of these energy systems will be discussed along the following four dimensions: geology and natural limits (i.e., resource availability and waste management); technology (plant efficiencies and the …

Flat Plate Solar Collector Materials (And Designs With An Economic Methodology For Optimizing Collector Design), Michael L. Day '79, Donald S. Remer, Daniel Hyatt '82

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

The desirability of specific materials and designs for conventional flat-plate solar collector components is considered. Then a methodology for choosing the most economic component is presented, consisting of a computer simulation and a rate-of-return analysis. The effect of rising conventional fuel costs is examined. Examples of using the methodology are given, based on Southern California climatic and user-demand conditions. Selective absorber-plate coatings and film inner glazing are shown to be economic, yielding a rate-of-return of 23 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

Technical Bulletins: Solar Demonstration Grants Available, Mtas

MTAS Publications: Technical Bulletins

Announcement of the Federal Department of Energy's third Program Opportunity Notice (PON) for innovative solar commercial projects.