The Solar PathNorth Carolina Association of Higher Education Facilities OfficersAnnual Conference March 7-8th, 2012

Photo by Roger Winstead.

NC State University and Renewables

• Solar Center Continuing Education• DSIRE Database• Advanced Energy• FREEDM• Energy Management• Sustainability Office

Solar on NC State Campus

75.6 kW

6 kW

3 kW

30 solar thermal panels + 112 pool heating collectors

8 solar thermal panels40 kW

NEXT 40 YEARS - CLIMATE NEUTRALITY

2008 Greenhouse Gas Inventory

HOW NC STATE COMPARES

Impact of Near Term Strategies

20% GHG reduction in 2015

04/19/23

Energy Key Performance Indicator: BTUs/GSF

2015 Goal = 30% reduction of energy use compared to 2003

2015 Goal = 30% reduction of energy use compared to 2003

ENERGY CONSERVATIONENERGY CONSERVATION

2015 Goal

PYRAMID OF CONSERVATIONTHE POWER OF ONE

Diagram: Minnesota Power: http://www.mnpower.com/powerofone/one_home/index.htm

If behavior change can account for 5% of

electricity reduction, how much $ will NC

State save?

Why solar?

• Student demand• Research opportunities• Public perception• Clean, renewable energy• Climate Action Plan

Why not solar?

• High relative cost for carbon reduction• Efficiency first• Perception: New technology• Perception: Onerous process

The Solar Path

• Use this procedure when a viable project is identified

• Contains many of the forms needed • Very similar across state funded

organizations

Procedure Diagram

• Insert diagram here

Frequently Asked Questions

• Glare• Liability• Wind• Roof warranty

Solar Power for your University

• Replicate our procedure• Contact us for more information

Intern Project: Site Suitability Survey

• Description of the project

10 criteria

• Impediments• Orientation• Pitch• Visibility• Shade

Rooftop Access

Roof Install Date

Roof Type

Roof Area

BTUs/ GSF

Impediments

Any object on the roof that impedes placement of a solar array either through

Physical presenceCasting of a shadow

High Impediments - Dabney

50%< Roof Impeded

Low Impediments - Witherspoon

25%> Roof Impeded

Orientation

Determined along the long axis of the building

Ideal Orientation is E-W

Carmichael gymnasium

N

Visibility

Determined by Walk-By Site AssessmentLow = >25% of roof visibleMedium = 25% - 75% of roof visibleHigh = > 75% of roof visible

Low Visibility - Dabney

High visibility - Jw isenhour tennis center

Shading

Extent to which objects cast a shadow on rooftops

Low: >25% ShadedMedium: 25% - 75% ShadedHigh: <75% Shaded

High shading - Turner House

Low Shading - Centennial sub station

Rooftop Access

Availability of perimeter space for crane use

Low: If materials can’t be stored on roof or no reasonable crane accessMedium: 1-2 sides availableHigh: 3+ sides available

Low - lEazar hall

• Materials can’t be stored on roof and no reasonable crane access points

High - mckimmon center

• 3 crane access points

Roof Install date & Type

• Date of most recent roof install• Type of roof currently installed

wood deck with Asphalt shingles

Wood deck with Slate Shingles

Epdm

EPDM rubber stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (M-class)

Coal Tar Pitch

Roof Area

• Measured in ft^2

conclusion

• This project was almost completely student led

• There are several existing systems on NCSU’s campus

• Rooftops evaluated based on 10 criteria

conclusion

John Galloway - jwgallow@ncsu.eduAlex Crouse - ascrouse@ncsu.eduLiz Bowen - Liz_Bowen@ncsu.edu

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