News

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM LIGHTS UP DANA BUILDING (03/05/2007)

The Energy Management Section of Utilities & Plant Engineering in a cooperative venture with the School of Natural Resources & Environment has developed a renewable energy resource technology demonstration project. The rooftop of the Dana Center of Natural Resources Building is the site of a 30kW Photovoltaic (PV) system. The project serves to inform and educate the university community and public about solar energy by collecting data and disseminating real time and historical performance information to displays within the building and on the Internet. Research will be conducted that compares thin film PV technology to mono-crystalline PV technology. This project highlights the University’s commitment to use renewable energy resources such as solar generated electricity in both its educational and plant operation endeavors.

The PV system is primarily Uni-Solar thin-film PV panels that are lightweight, flexible, and applied directly to the roofing material surface; no roof penetrations or mounting brackets are required. Mono-crystalline solar panels have been installed for comparison of the different PV technologies. The energy output of Uni-Solar laminated panels is expected to be greater due to better performance in “real-world” conditions such as cloudy days, hot days and low-angle light; they are also not as affected by less than optimum solar angles, soiling, or shading as other PV technologies.

With the skills and expertise of engineering staff of the UM UPE and the manufacturers providing the photovoltaic panels and the DC to AC inverter system, the University is assured of a reliable, highly efficient electric power system that is an effective demonstration of utilizing renewable energy resources and highlights the University’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability through the use of alternative energy resources and technology.