SSC Semester Report: InSPIRE Solar Charging Stations
Associated Project(s):
SSC received semesterly report for Fall 2021 for InSPIRE Solar Charging Stations project on 12/26/2021. Please see attached.
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Projects Updates for Solar Power on Campus
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Pages
Illinois Solar Renewables Resources
Associated Project(s):For Homeowners:
Citizens Utility Board (Community Solar) - https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/solar-in-the-community/
EnergySage - https://www.energysage.com/
Google Sunroof - https://sunroof.withgoogle.com/
IL Solar Energy Association (IL Solar Ambassadors and vendor lists) - https://www.illinoissolar.org/
For specialized organizations:
Midwest Renewable Energy Association - https://www.midwestrenew.org/
Clean Energy Buyers Association - https://cebuyers.org/
Elevate - https://www.elevatenp.org/
Government:
City of Chicago - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/progs/env/solar_in_chicago.html
Cook County - https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/solar-energy
Illinois Solar for All (Community Solar) - https://www.illinoissfa.com/
Illinois Shines - https://illinoisshines.com/
EPA (Solar Resources) - https://www.epa.gov/statelocalenergy/local-renewable-energy-solar
UIUC Ranks #25 Nationally on EPA's List of On-Site Green Power Users
Associated Project(s):The newsletter attached below is from F&S Customer Relations & Communications, which provides more detail on UIUC's Green Power User achievement.
Attached Files:UIUC Ranks #23 on EPA's List of On-Site Green Power Generation
Associated Project(s):As of January 24, 2022, UIUC is ranked 23rd on EPA's list of On-Site Green Power Generation.
The full rankings can be found here:
https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/green-power-partnership-top-30-site-gener...
This Week in Illinois Research, October 10- 16
Solar Sites Open House
Associated Project(s):UIUC SOLAR SITES OPEN HOUSE - October 15, 1:00-2:30 pm
Ever wonder how far the university has come in solar energy use? Come out to the UIUC Solar Sites Open House hosted on Topia, an interactive online platform, to learn about different buildings and areas across campus that are producing solar energy! During the Open House, Morgan White will provide a guided tour to virtually visit ten locations on campus. Learn more about the amazing solar installations on campus!
This event will take place online from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2021, at https://topia.io/uiuc-solar-sites.*
*Chrome browser on desktop or laptop required.Table Installed and Inspected, Waiting on Solar Panel Installation
Associated Project(s):A Belson recycled picnic table was installed and inspected.
The solar panels for the table are yet to be installed.
Pictures of the table are attached below.
The email regarding this event is also attached below.
Assembly Completed, Anchoring and Grouting Ahead
Associated Project(s):Justin notified Joe Villanti and Jonathon Jakobsson that the InSPIRE solar powered table had been assembled. The anchoring and grouting are planned for October 16, 2021.
The full email is attached below.
Attached Files:Visiting Mechanical Engineering Building for PV Glass
Associated Project(s):From: Yi, Yun Kyu
To: McFall, D
Cc: White, Morgan
Recipients: dmcfall at illinois.edu; mbwhite at illinois.edu
Hi Damon,
It was good to meet you today.
Just to follow up with you about visiting the Mech. Building. I am wondering in general Tuesday between 2-5 pm works for your schedule.
My class is in between this time and it will be great for students to see some of the new technologies.
If you can let me know if Tuesday afternoon is something that works for your schedule, I will talk with my student to set possible dates to visit.
Many thanks
Yun
Yun Kyu Yi, PhD
Assistant Professor
School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
M232 Temple Buell Hall, 611 E Lorado Taft Drive, MC-621, Champaign, IL 61820
phone: (217) 300-4886 | fax: (217) 244-2900 |
Founder and Lead Investigator,
The Responsive Architecture Lab (RAL) at the Illinois School of Architecture, 20a Architecture Building, 608 East Lorado Taft Drive, MC-621, Champaign, IL 61820 https://go.illinois.edu/ral
June Tour at Allerton Park & Retreat Center
Associated Project(s):For June, CCNet has arranged and sponsored a tour at Allerton Park & Retreat Center. This tour will take place on Friday, June 25th at 3:00 PM CDT. As mentioned in their monthly newsletter:
Tour at Allerton & Food at 3 Ravens
Date: Friday, June 25th at 3:00 PM CDT
Location:
Allerton Park & Retreat Center (515 Old Timber Road, Monticello, IL 61856) &
3 Ravens (108 South Charter, Monticello, IL 61856)Join us on a tour of Allerton!
We will be meeting near the outside patio of Greenhouse Cafe at Allerton Park & Retreat Center. During this tour, Derek Peterson, the Director of Allerton, will show us clean energy installations at the center and we will visit the compost toilet funded by the Student Sustainability Committee. The Clivus Multrum compost toilet system is installed at the park’s Schroth Trailhead, providing park volunteers, trail-hikers, and other visitors the ability to use the restroom in an environmentally sustainable and convenient manner without needing to travel all the way to the Visitor Center to do so.
Afterward, all are more than welcome to continue your visit to Allerton or join us for a quick bite at 3 Ravens in Monticello, IL!
Please note that coordinated transportation will not be provided for this event. If you would like to drive to the event, parking is available at multiple locations around the park.
Learn More About Planning Your Visit (Parking & Accessibility)suggestion for servicing solar arrays
Associated Project(s):Perhaps there should be a standard developed for solar on buildings with monitoring and connectivity requirements. trouble shooting issues could go to a service contract to handle or there could be a work order for the F&S electricians. We should certainly train the campus electricians on everything that needs to happen for maintaining solar systems, or get a standing service contract.
Sunflower idea
Associated Project(s):Here's an interesting solar power / art installation: https://smartflower.com/.
Welcome Note for Earth Day Solar Open House
Associated Project(s):Happy Earth Day, 2021!!!
Welcome to the UIUC Solar Sites Open House!
- Nine campus solar power installations are available to visit at this virtual open house.
- Contact people for each site are standing on the yellow stars by their facility, on Earth Day from 9-10:30 AM.
- There are also links for further information about each solar site.
Hints for Using Topia
- Zoom out on your browser to see more of the campus at once.
- Click on a destination to move your avatar to that site, or use the arrow keys to navigate
- Send messages in Topia to people you meet here, with the mailbox icons.
***MAKE SURE TO USE GOOGLE CHROME AS YOUR BROWSER***
Invitation - Open to All
Ever wonder how far the university has come in solar energy use? Come out to the UIUC Solar Sites Open House hosted on Topia, an interactive online platform, to learn about different buildings and areas across campus that are producing solar energy! During the Open House, contacts for each location will be available to answer questions about the solar installations at nine locations. Learn more about the amazing solar installations on campus!
This event will take place online from 9-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day!), at https://topia.io/uiuc-solar-sites.*
***MAKE SURE TO USE GOOGLE CHROME AS YOUR BROWSER***
Attached Files:News-Gazette mailbag note about MEB solar
Associated Project(s):South facade at Lu building "At the new Sidney Lu Mechanical Engineering Building at the northwest corner of Green and Goodwin, Urbana, the south façade has an intriguing glass — perhaps with embedded solar panels or something like that? What is the product, and what is it's purpose?"
Your answer comes from engineer Damon McFall, director of facilities and operations in Mechanical Science & Enegineering.
"The embedded solar panels are referred to as building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels. This approach utilized on a larger scale can help contribute to the societal goal of achieving net-positive facilities or buildings that produce more energy than they consume," said McFall. "The use of BIPV panels on the Sidney Lu Mechanical Engineering Building will serve as an educational tool for students and faculty to understand the benefits and challenges of integrating solar into the façade of a facility.
"A core imperative for the building was to be a leader in innovation. Thus, the idea to include BIPV was supported by Mechanical Science and Engineering Professor Ty Newell. The project is a first on campus and possibly the only installation of its kind nationally. The state-of-the-art panels have already provided research opportunities to designers, builders, and others.
"The goal is for students, community members, and guests to learn more about BIPV in campus, commercial, and government facilities and pursue building design and construction that meets the International Living Future Institute’s Living Building and Community Challenges (Living-Future.org). Once the facility opens this summer, tours will be offered where the public can learn more about the technology."
https://www.news-gazette.com/toms-mailbag/toms-mailbag-feb-12-2021/artic...
Local Solar projects shared at CCNet brownbag
Associated Project(s):CCNet hosted several local solar panelists in January 2021. This Zoom meeting was also shared via Facebook Live:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=429039901765435&ref=watch_permalink
- Scott Tess for Solar Urbana-Champaign (https://www.growsolar.org/solar-urbana-champaign/)
- Lauren Barchi, with Nexamp, for community solar (https://www.nexamp.com/community-solar)
- Jim Bustard, with Parkland College (https://www.parkland.edu)
- Morgan White University of Illinois solar projects (https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/.../solar-energy...)
- Sushanth Girini for University of Illinois Solar Farm 2.0: https://fs.illinois.edu/.../utilit.../production/solar-farms
Join the CCNet mailing list to gain access to the Zoom and stay connected. http://eepurl.com/g8IM
(video link corrected on 2-2-2021)
Andrew Li will be getting an update for the small scale solar projects
Associated Project(s):Andrew Li, Halie Collins, and Morgan White met today to launch a student-led project to get an update for all the small scale solar projects on campus. Andrew will be reaching out to the project contacts over the next few months to get a status update and associated photos, links, etc. for each project. He will then update the iCAP Portal accordingly.
Proposed solar over parking at Willard Airport
Associated Project(s):Past Project Based Learning students reached out to Tim Bannon at Willard Airport to propose adding solar carports over the parking lot.
Sustainable Issues and Opportunities for Handling End-of-Life PV Modules
Associated Project(s):According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar power is the fastest-growing energy source in the U.S. and this growth will continue to rise. At the moment, only a few states have adopted solar PV end-of-life handling policies. Thus, a lot of modules may end up in landfills. The panel discussion will be on barriers, policies, and sustainable opportunities for end-of-life PV modules.
Sustainable Issues and Opportunities for Handling End-of-Life PV Modules
October 22, 9:30–11 am
Jennifer Martin • Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
This opportunity is available online. eweek announcement
Associated Project(s):Sustainable Issues and Opportunities for Handling End-of-Life PV Modules
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar power is the fastest-growing energy source in the U.S. and this growth will continue to rise. At the moment, only a few states have adopted solar PV end-of-life handling policies. Thus, a lot of modules may end up in landfills. The panel discussion will be on barriers, policies, and sustainable opportunities for end-of-life PV modules.
October 22, 9:30–11 am
Jennifer Martin • Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Mailbag solar article: Suggestion for UI solar panels
Associated Project(s):"Why doesn't the company installing the solar panels at U of I put them over the parking lot? I would provide shade for the cars underneath and would eliminate having to kill whatever would be underneath them in the fields."
The best option for building solar panels is ground-mounted, said Morgan White, the associate director for sustainability at the University of Illinois.
"As part of our Climate Leadership Commitments the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a goal of producing at least 25,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) per year from on-campus solar," she said. "When we evaluated options for meeting this goal, rooftop solar, solar over parking areas, and ground-mounted solar were all considered. The most cost-effective option is ground-mounted solar, and it also allows for larger-scale installations.
"For a sense of the scale, the two solar farms will be a total of 75 acres, while the largest parking lot on campus is less than 15 acres.
"When installing solar panels over parking areas, there are additional infrastructure and labor costs to raise the solar panels above the ground level. Although we do not currently have any solar over parking areas, Facilities & Services is working with the Parking Department to evaluate potential locations for a pilot installation. We are also continuing to install rooftop solar on individual buildings."
Solar panels are on the following five Urbana campus buildings:
— Business Instructional Facility
— the Activities & Recreation Center
— Wassaja Residence Hall
— University High School Gymnasium
— Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Building.
"I'd also like to emphasize that the ground-mounted solar panels do not harm the plants under them. After building the first Solar Farm, we learned that there was an excellent opportunity for growing useful plants under and around the panels," said White. "This is a great opportunity for creating a multi-functional ecosystem, with pollinator supportive plants and protected areas for small animals and insects."
