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American Electric Power. American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with an 11-state electricity transmission and distribution grid. The AEP site contains extensive (52) write-ups on schools with PV systems (plus Oberlin College & the Columbus Zoo), although the ones with active data displays can also be accessed directly through Watts on Schools or Datapault (see below). www.aep.com/environmental/renewables/solar/ schoolProjects/default.htm Datapult reads meters or other energy
recording devices in over 40 states within the U.S., as well as in Canada
and Puerto Rico. Datapult has clear and informative public displays for 6
educational sites, including YMCA Camp Bernie in NJ, although at this
writing only 3 sites had sufficient data for display. Educational Information & Resource Center
EIRC in Sewell, NJ, is a public agency specializing in education-related
programs and services for parents, schools, communities, nonprofit
organizations and privately held businesses throughout New Jersey. Their x
kW system posts its daily output in total and by each solar panel, along
with a graph of the day’s output. Madison (WI) Gas & Electric This is
one of the best sites for comparative purposes. Ten schools display system
attributes, historical data, and live systems data and graphs. The displays
are clear and easily accessible, using RW Schott software. They also link to
other solar facilities in the county. Note the very informative discussion
of “what we have learned.” Montana Greenpower Twelve schools
participate in the Sun4Schools Program, although 17 schools’ data sites are
listed. Seven schools received extensive monitoring systems which collect
both PV system power output and solar energy input along with wind speed;
outside air temperature; and the school’s total electrical consumption and
demand. Five schools received more limited monitoring systems, which collect
PV system power output, and the building’s total electrical consumption and
demand, so proportional comparisons can be made. The graphs, however, are
not particularly easy to interpret. School Power Naturally Fifty schools
in New York received a 2kW solar energy and data collection system as part
of New York State Energy Resource and Development Authority’s Energy Smart
Schools Program. Data are posted on NYSERDA’s web site in 15 minute averages
so that each PV school can monitor the performance of its system and the PV
systems of other schools. Solar Energy Project University of Vermont
This collaborative project of the University of Vermont Environmental
Council, Burlington Electric and US Department of Energy provides very
accessible on-line data from a 5.76 kW solar installation at the University
of Vermont,. Power readings are taken once a second. Site includes
background information on solar energy benefits. SolarQuest posts live data from their
PV and weather Data Monitoring and Power Management Systems at both schools
and commercial sites. As of this writing, graphs and data displays are
available for about 20 sites in CA, KY and Ecuador. Soltrex shares its datalogging and
web services for clear, easy access for students. At this writing it had
more than 90 participating sites and more than 80 systems on-line, including
one in south Jersey (BJ’s in Deptford). This site contains a very good
“Learn” section, with an attractive graphic presentation on “How Solar (PV)
Energy Works,” and energy calculators that convert kilowatt hours to
chemical, mechanical, thermal, worldwide energy use, exercise and pollution
categories. There are also a glossary and resources/links page. Watts On Schools Provides good links
to 19 schools in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Has clear graphs on
sunlight, electric output, wind and temperature, with a hot link to the
Weather Channel for local forecasts. Complete data for previous years is
available; year-to-date data for the current year is updated monthly by the
fifth day of each month. Web site includes lesson plans on solar energy and
data analysis. |