Solar Energy Proposal 2014
Contents
2 Background Information 3
3 How Solar Panels Work 4
4 Possible Applications in Hwa Chong Institution 6
4.1 Solar Powered Dustbins and Recycling bins 8
4.2 Powering of Air conditioning 10
4.3 Powering of fans 11
5 Strategies for change 12
6 Pros of solar energy 13
6.1 Cost efficient 13
6.2 Environmentally friendly 14
6.3 Independent/semi-independent 14
7 Cons of solar energy 15
7.1 Availability 15
7.2 Intensity 15
7.3 Cost 15
7.4 Transmission 15
7.5 Environmental Impact 15
8 Global initiatives 16
8.1 World’s largest solar plant 16
8.2 Apple Inc. 19
8.3 India 20
9 References 22
Solar Energy
1 Background Information
Since 15 June 2011, Hwa Chong Institution has installed a total of 84 panel in the school compound, with 3 inverters for every 28 pair of solar panels. With an estimated 70kWh of electricity generated per day, it adds up to approximately 2110 kWh of electricity per month and 25,550 kWh of electricity per annum. Till date, these solar panels would have generated an estimated amount of 50,750 kWh of electricity generated (15 May 2014). Reducing 8 tonnes of carbon emission each year, these solar panels have proved to be a source of alternative energy for Hwa Chong Institution.
The electricity generated by these solar panels are used for powering the spotlights that light up the iconic Hwa Chong Clock Tower (Fig.1), a designated national monument site.
Figure 1: Hwa Chong 's iconic Clock Tower being lighted up
The solar panels installed saves $7,200 per year from the day it was turned on- 15 June 2011. Even though solar energy is environmentally friendly and clean, producing no by-products, it is inefficient in the aspect of producing energy. Solar cell efficiencies vary from 6% for amorphous silicon-based solar cells to 44.0% with multiple-junction production cells and 44.4% with multiple dies assembled into a hybrid package. However, the high-efficiency solar panels are extremely expensive. As shown in Fig. 2, no solar cells
2 Background Information 3
3 How Solar Panels Work 4
4 Possible Applications in Hwa Chong Institution 6
4.1 Solar Powered Dustbins and Recycling bins 8
4.2 Powering of Air conditioning 10
4.3 Powering of fans 11
5 Strategies for change 12
6 Pros of solar energy 13
6.1 Cost efficient 13
6.2 Environmentally friendly 14
6.3 Independent/semi-independent 14
7 Cons of solar energy 15
7.1 Availability 15
7.2 Intensity 15
7.3 Cost 15
7.4 Transmission 15
7.5 Environmental Impact 15
8 Global initiatives 16
8.1 World’s largest solar plant 16
8.2 Apple Inc. 19
8.3 India 20
9 References 22
Solar Energy
1 Background Information
Since 15 June 2011, Hwa Chong Institution has installed a total of 84 panel in the school compound, with 3 inverters for every 28 pair of solar panels. With an estimated 70kWh of electricity generated per day, it adds up to approximately 2110 kWh of electricity per month and 25,550 kWh of electricity per annum. Till date, these solar panels would have generated an estimated amount of 50,750 kWh of electricity generated (15 May 2014). Reducing 8 tonnes of carbon emission each year, these solar panels have proved to be a source of alternative energy for Hwa Chong Institution.
The electricity generated by these solar panels are used for powering the spotlights that light up the iconic Hwa Chong Clock Tower (Fig.1), a designated national monument site.
Figure 1: Hwa Chong 's iconic Clock Tower being lighted up
The solar panels installed saves $7,200 per year from the day it was turned on- 15 June 2011. Even though solar energy is environmentally friendly and clean, producing no by-products, it is inefficient in the aspect of producing energy. Solar cell efficiencies vary from 6% for amorphous silicon-based solar cells to 44.0% with multiple-junction production cells and 44.4% with multiple dies assembled into a hybrid package. However, the high-efficiency solar panels are extremely expensive. As shown in Fig. 2, no solar cells
References: (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://www.bigbelly.com/solutions/stations/bigbelly/ (2012).Movya Consultancy Apple Inc. (n.d.). Apple- Environmental Responsibility. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from Apple Inc. Web site: http://www.apple.com/environment/our-progress/ BigBelly Solar BrightSource Limitless. (n.d.). Ivanpah Project Facts. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://www.brightsourceenergy.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/0/8a69e55a233e0b7edfe14b9f77f5eb8d/folder/ivanpah_fact_sheet_3_26_14.pdf BrightSource Limitless Carton, P. (2008, April 27). Seeking Alpha. (P. Carton, Producer) Retrieved May 15, 2014, from Seeking Alpha Read. Decide. Invest.: http://seekingalpha.com/article/74215-major-corporate-shift-to-solar-energy-and-leds Emery, G Energy Matters. (2011, January 4). 500 MW Solar Park For India: Renewable Energy News:. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from Energy Matters: http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=1263 Michael Bluejay, Inc (n.d.).Our Maiden, North Carolina, solar array. Apple Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from http://images.apple.com/environment/our-progress/images/progress_hero_image.jpg Technologies, D Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia. (Wikipedia) Retrieved May 15, 2014, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell_efficiency Wikipedia zict. (2010). Hwa Chong Institution - My School. Cool! Hwa Chong Institution - My School. Cool! Hwa Chong Instutuition, Bukit Timah, Singapore. Retrieved May 15, 2014, from http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=b60a7c29-6f59-4d05-b823-b00cebc4cc80