Solar Energy Center » Solar Panels

Mir Docking Module – Solar Array Package

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:43:26 +0000

In addition to its use as a docking module, the Mir Docking Module also carried two solar panels. One was called the Mir Cooperative Solar Array (MCSA) and the other was an all-Russian array. The MCSA was part of Phase 1 of the Shuttle-Mir Program. It was jointly designed by NASA and Russia in order to test designs for the future International Space Station. It was deployed on Kvant-1 in May, 1996. The all-Russian array replaced Kristall’s old array, which was attached to Kvant-1, in November, 1997.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Mir Docking Module, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Davidson County Solar Farm – Efficiency

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 05:44:34 +0000

One of the driving forces behind the construction of this solar farm, and SunEdison’s presence in North Carolina altogether, is due to a state law passed in 2007 that requires public utilities such as Duke Energy to obtain a minimum of 12.5% of their power from renewable energy by 2021. The farm will produce 21.5 megawatts, with 18 megawatts being used solely for AC power. When completed, this will make the Davidson County Solar Farm the largest solar farm in the United States – larger than the Nellis Solar Power Plant in Nevada which has 72,000 panels, took three years to plan, and 26 weeks to build, is estimated to save the Air Force one million dollars, and produces 14 megawatts at peak production. Every year that the solar farm is in use, it will offset 32 million pounds of carbon dioxide. SunEdison claims that once complete, the power plant will generate enough energy to power more than 2,600 homes.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Davidson County Solar Farm, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Marina Barrage – Gallery

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:43:22 +0000

Image:Wiki marina barrage.jpg|The Marina Bridge

Image:Marina_Barrage_Bridge.jpg|The bridge holds the press gates that control water flow

Image:Marina_Barrage_Depth_Mark.jpg|Depth markings present on the observation piers

Image:Marina_Barrage_Pump_House.jpg|The Pump House in the background contains the seven massive water pumps

Image:Marina_Barrage_Solar_Park.jpg|The Solar Park which provides additional electrical power for the site

Image:Marina_Barrage_Solar_Panels.jpg|The solar panels in the Solar Park

Image:Green_Roof.jpg|The Green Roof

Image:Main Bldg.jpg|The Pump House

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Marina Barrage, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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IKAROS – Purpose

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:45:00 +0000

The IKAROS probe is the world’s first spacecraft to use solar sailing as the main propulsion. It plans to demonstrate four key technologies (comments in parentheses refer to figure on right):

#Deployment and control of a large, thin solar sail membrane (blue areas numbered 3)

#Thin-film solar cells integrated into the sail to power the payload (black rectangles numbered 4)

#Measurement of acceleration due to radiation pressure on the solar sail

#Attitude control via variable reflectance liquid crystal panels (orange rectangles numbered 2)

The sail finished deploying on 10 June 2010, and is currently being tested. The final two items will be tested during the remaining six month trip to Venus.

The mission also includes investigations of aspects of interplanetary space, such as the gamma-ray burst, solar wind and cosmic dust.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article IKAROS, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Merck headquarters – Solar initiative

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:50:54 +0000

In 2008, Merck installed a 1.6-megawatt solar power system consisting of 7,000 panels on of property. Among the largest installations at a corporate headquarters, the system is also the largest ground-mounted solar power tracking system east of the Mississippi River. In all, it will provide 7% of the site’s power and is expected to “reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,300 tons per year.”

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Merck headquarters, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Low-cost photovoltaic cell – Bottlenecks affecting photovoltaic prices

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:43:34 +0000

The price of solar panels fell steadily for 40 years, until 2004 when high subsidies in Germany drastically increased demand there, and greatly increasing the price of purified silicon (which is used in computer chips as well as solar panels). One research firm predicted that new manufacturing capacity began coming on-line in 2008 (projected to double by 2009) which was expected to lower prices by 70% in 2015. Other analysts warned that capacity may be slowed by economic issues, but that demand may fall because of lessening subsidies. Other potential bottlenecks which have been suggested are the capacity of ingot shaping and wafer slicing industries, and the number of specialists who coat the wafers with chemicals.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Low-cost photovoltaic cell, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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O’Neill Sea Odyssey – Solar Program

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:43:10 +0000

The goals of the OSO solar project are to:

* Reduce the carbon footprint

* Create clean recycled energy for O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s education center and the Surfrider Foundation’s Santa Cruz Chapter office and water testing laboratory

* Save money for both organizations

In addition to the Solar Program on land, the 65-foot catamaran features solar panels and a wind turbine to create more clean energy while at sea, furthering the education of the students in the OSO core program.

“By reducing our carbon footprint and saving money, we will go green and save green,” said OSO Executive Director Dan Haifley. “Climate change impacts the ocean which in turn plays a role in moderating earth’s climate, so this will be a small contribution to keeping that balance healthy.”

The solar electric system generates about 3,700 kilowatt hours per year. It is estimated to pay for itself in 15 years. The grid-tied system includes 14 Sanyo HIP 195BA19 solar panels, among the most efficient solar panels available, and a 3000 watt AC output inverter. The solar electric system was designed by Solar Mike [http://www.solarmike.net/Featured_Systems/oneill.html] and installed by Ron Goad of Solar Construction. A $19,500 grant from the Ludwick Family Foundation of Glendora Los Angeles County paid for the majority of the solar electric system, along with cash rebate from California for about 25% of the system cost. OSO looks to be a leader in sustainable building while impacting youth awareness in future green technologies.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article O’Neill Sea Odyssey, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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C/NOFS – Current status

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 01:43:26 +0000

On 2008-05-28 the USAF Space Development and Test Wing announced its launch and early orbit portion of the spacecraft’s operations had been completed successfully. On 2008-06-09 the manufacturer of the separation systems used to deploy the C/NOFS solar panels, payload antennas and magnetometer boom indicated they had all functioned correctly.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article C/NOFS, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Fort Foureau (Sahara) – Present use

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 07:43:20 +0000

Fort Foureau is the hazardous waste disposal project located in the African country of Mali and run by Yves Massarde. Fort Foureau handles biological and chemical waste and burns it using two quartz burners. The project is powered by solar-photon technology.

The project has a number of solar panels which collect sunlight and store it in power modules ready to be used in the chemical incinerators.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Fort Foureau (Sahara), under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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Solimpeks – History

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:42:46 +0000

The father company of Solimpeks founded in 1979 as the first solar thermal collector manufacturer of Turkey. In 2001, the third generation started their own business with a broader view and achieved 100% growth yearly between 2004-2008. The new hybrid panels of Solimpeks awarded as Alex’s Cool Product of the Week and Green Heroes Award of Channel4

Adapted from the Wikipedia article Solimpeks, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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