We’ve been telling you for a while now that solar panels can significantly save you money. But how about half a million dollars? Well over the next 25 years that’s exactly how much The University of Hawaii expects to cut its electricity bill by now that they’ve installed a new solar energy system on the roof of their library.
According to the university officials, the 31.5-kilowatt photovoltaic system will produce enough energy to power about 135 homes a year over the lifetime of the project.
The university is deploying various schemes to reach a long term renewable energy goal and the photovoltaic project is an “important early step” in this process. The University is planning to install about 5 megawatts of solar generating capacity that would provide up to 10% of the campus’ energy needs.
The 140 solar modules installed at the library are raised at least 24 inches from the rooftop to prevent shading and reduce heat load to the library rooftop, effectively reducing energy consumption by air conditioned areas in the library. A clever monitoring system will also provide output levels as well as provide email alerts if a system error occurs.
All very well for a university situated in the sun drenched skies of Hawaii I hear you say. But don’t be fooled by their name, solar PV panels aren’t just ideal energy sources for palm laden islands, they rely on daylight not just sunlight, so they do a pretty blinding job here in the UK too.
|
