About the Project
After offsetting my suite's energy usage by purchasing renewable energy credits generated with wind power, I came upon the idea of installing a small scale renewable energy system. Given the environment I was working in (a college residence hall that I would be able to make any physical modifications to) solar was the obvious choice. Being in the Living/Learning Center in an unrenovated building, we still had a balcony which I could use to set up the solar panel (they were being removed as the buildings were renovated to give more interior space in each suite). Luckily our building's balcony was facing southwest (solar panels should generally be set up facing south).
I ordered the equipment the following day, after finding a complete and reasonably priced package that included everything I would need to get started from Sundance Solar for $295, plus $14 shipping. The system was small, 20W, but I passed on the opportunity to get another 20W panel for around $140. While I planned to ultimately go to a 40W system, I wanted to get the 20W up and functioning before I invested anymore than $300 in it. The battery that came with the panel would easily handle a 40W system, so I would be all set to upgrade when I was ready.
I planned to power my laptop on primarily solar energy, and also use energy to charge small devices such as my iPod, cell phone and Palm Pilot. However, the idea of the system was not only to produce power and as a personal challenge, but also to educate others about the accessibility of renewable energy. While UVM had a 5 kW utility intertie solar system that dwarfed the panel I have on my balcony, I wanted to show others than producing clean, renewable electricity was simple and accessible to anyone.
Last modified October 16 2005 01:39 AM
