Suitable Locations for Photovoltaic Solar Panels at Minnesota State University
Location
CSU 204
Start Date
4-4-2011 9:00 AM
End Date
4-4-2011 10:30 AM
Student's Major
Geography
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Fei Yuan
Mentor's Department
Geography
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
One of the biggest and hottest topics of today has been the ideas of going green and saving energy. There have also been problems with funding and budget cuts and the University should be looking into ways to lower spending. This project provides a solution for saving energy and preserving our environment by setting up solar panels throughout the campus rooftops. The areas throughout the campus that would be most suitable for the installation of Photovoltaic cells (solar panels) is mapped. A method for optimal sunlight and maximum production estimation is developed using GIS technique and remote sensing data. Very high resolution (1m) digital terrain surface and elevation data collected by LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system is used to calculate areas that received 1kwh/m squared per day on average throughout the year. A spatial model is also created to automate the entire process. The method and model created in the project demonstrate an innovative way for energy saving. They can be easily adapted and used in many other green energy-related projects.
Suitable Locations for Photovoltaic Solar Panels at Minnesota State University
CSU 204
One of the biggest and hottest topics of today has been the ideas of going green and saving energy. There have also been problems with funding and budget cuts and the University should be looking into ways to lower spending. This project provides a solution for saving energy and preserving our environment by setting up solar panels throughout the campus rooftops. The areas throughout the campus that would be most suitable for the installation of Photovoltaic cells (solar panels) is mapped. A method for optimal sunlight and maximum production estimation is developed using GIS technique and remote sensing data. Very high resolution (1m) digital terrain surface and elevation data collected by LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system is used to calculate areas that received 1kwh/m squared per day on average throughout the year. A spatial model is also created to automate the entire process. The method and model created in the project demonstrate an innovative way for energy saving. They can be easily adapted and used in many other green energy-related projects.
Recommended Citation
Mackedanz, Benjamin. "Suitable Locations for Photovoltaic Solar Panels at Minnesota State University." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 4, 2011.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2011/oral-session-02/3
