ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ× Resource Assessment and Feasibility Study
Project Description: The ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ× Facilities Services Department has asked ACEP
to conduct a resource assessment and feasibility study into putting a 1-MW solar array
on the hillside south of the Butrovich Building on campus.
The study is comprised of two parts: First, deploying a meteorological tower to measure
solar irradiance on the site; Second, in order to determine the economics of active
snow removal (versus passive snow removal), two undergraduate students are clearing
snow from simulated solar panels in order to document the amount of effort involved
in keeping the panels clear. This data will help assess whether or not active snow
removal is economical. In return for their efforts, the students are being mentored
through an independent course of study on different renewable energy technologies.
Project Update: The meteorological tower being used in the study was recently moved out of ACEP’s
Energy Technology Facility (ETF) and placed outside. Sitting next to the ETF, in
direct sunlight, the meteorological tower will undergo testing before it is deployed
to the hillside located just south of the Butrovich Building on ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ×’s campus.
Project Lead: Dr. Daisy Huang, ACEP Faculty Researcher
Project Funding: Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity (URSA)
Project Research Partners: ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ× Facilities Services Department and URSA
Photo Caption: ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ× Resource Assessment meteorological tower sits adjacent to the
ETF as it undergoes testing.
Photo courtesy M. Frey, ACEP/ÎÞÂëÂÒÂ×.