The last two weeks of the internship were focused on finishing up the reports for CHA. After submitting my report on wind power, most of my time was spent editing that report as well as other reports sent to me by Jack Honor. Jack has compiled a draft of the report which he shared with us so we could get a preview of what the final report will entail. It is amazing what all the work completed this summer has become. The report is lengthy due to its combination of broad scope as well as high attention to detail.

After finishing the reports on the solar PV and the report on wind turbines the project has entered its final stages. CHA will be completing final edits of the reports that we have submitted so far. At this point we are editing each other’s reports and ensuring that they are complete. A few smaller reports will be created for some of the less complicated feasibility studies. For instance next week, I will be working on a report discussing the potential for bio-digesters used to break down the compost generated each day at UVM.

On July 11 2012 the team and I took a visit to the currently largest solar farm in Vermont. The project, located in South Burlington, Vermont, is backed by the local Renewable Energy developer AllEarth Renewables. They provided 382 of their AllSun solar panel trackers for the project. The AllSun Trackers are pole mounted solar panels that use GPS to track the sun throughout the day which the company says allows them to produce 40% more energy than fixed solar panels. Each panel is equip with it's own inverter thus making the system more eficient.

While working with both the clean energy fund of the University of Vermont and the CHA engineering firm I have been able to reflect on possible career options for my future. Much of the work and involvement I'm experiencing this summer holds much relevance to possible career options I have interest in. While working under CHA's leadership I've gained experience in site surveying for various renewable energy systems such as Solar PV, Wind Power, and Solar and Geothermal Heating and Cooling.

Over the past two weeks I have been mostly focusing on completing Solar PV site reports and a technology overview draft for geothermal heat exchange. As a team we have almost completed reports for every prospected PV site on campus. Site reports are a great way to get a general understanding of the energy and money saving potential for a certain location. I feel fully confident in my solar PV judgment and in my ability to make predictions and estimates based on site visits.