Coming Soon
Green Zone:
This area of Dennis Hall will be converted into an educational area for renewable energy. It will have displays about solar power, wind power, and Earlham's Environmental Responsibility Plan. The furnishings will be made out of LEED'sTemplate:Ref certified materials.
The goal of this area is for the Earlham and surrounding communities to have a space where renewable energy is power. It is an area where they will be able to visualize how it can be put into place in their own homes or businesses. The lighting will be powered by the solar panels and wind turbine on the roof. A 4'x4' LCD array will be installed for the display of real-time and historical data (meteorological, energy production, energy consumption, ...) and other educational information. Also included will be a display of hardware for the power collecter and converter, and grid interconnect.
Solar Panels
There are two implementations of the installation of solar panels at Earlham College. The first is the installation of a 3.15 kW solar panel system. Some of these will be positioned on the parapet, a section of the roof, so that they are visable from the ground. This will be installed during the fall of 2005. The second installation is at Miller Farm South of campus. This is a school residence for approximately 9 students year round who live in an intentional community with a focus on community development and sustainable agriculture. Installation is planned for the Spring of 2006. Wind Power – Coming Spring 2006
Installation of 1kw wind generator on 30 foot tower on the north east roof of Dennis Hall, including tie-in to existing hardware from the solar panels. This will help to confirm that wind energy production is feasable in the area. We are currently doing wind prospecting on Earlham property South of campus. This involves putting up moveable equipment that measures and records wind speed and direction. The data that is collected, along with the data from the windmill on the roof of Dennis, will be used by Earlham to determine the feasability of installing a commercial-grade wind farm South of campus.
RP&L (Richmond Power and Light)
This project will provide the first opportunity for RP&L to work out the details of a grid interconnection system. Even though the law mandates that utility companies cooperate with small renewable energy produces, the actual implementation of that cooperation typically is not straightforaward. We have already begun discussions with RP&L officials, and expect to move forward in close cooperation with them.
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