How to Use Solar Energy in Schools

School buildings require more power than homes.

Many homeowners have been using solar energy as a cost-efficient method of producing power. However, the power requirements for a home are far less than those for school building, which is why it's harder to install and maintain solar power system in schools. The installation process begins with calculating the power requirements of the building, which gives you an idea of the number of panels you need to install to generate a sufficient amount of energy.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Solar panels equipment

Instructions

1. Create a list of all of the school's electronic devices and appliances that will be powered using solar energy. The list will primarily consist of lights, air conditioners, fans and computers. Figure out the total electricity requirements of the school by calculating the energy requirements of each appliance. Resources that can help you determine these requirements can be found online. Keep in mind that the formula for determining the power need of each appliance is amps x volts = watts. Once you calculate the power requirement of individual appliances, add them up to get an estimate of the least amount of solar electricity you need to produce to power the school.

2. Purchase solar panels to be installed on the school building's rooftop. Because you are powering a relatively large building, you will have to purchase a great number of solar panels. The federal government provides grants for reducing the cost of solar energy installation, so you might want to apply for these grants, some of which are available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009.

3. Hire an electrician or a solar electricity expert to install and connect the panels to the school grid. Since the number of panels being installed is so great, it's probably not a wise idea to install them yourself. Solar panels are expensive and fragile, which is why you do not want to risk the project. The electrician will figure out the location on the rooftop that receives the maximum amount of sunlight. He will then install and connect the panels to the power inverters connected to the building's circuit breaker panel, which consequently provides power to the whole building.

References

• Solar Panel Manual: Guide to Solar Panel Wiring
• U.S. Department of Energy: Solar Energy Technologies Program

Resources

• Solar Power DIY and News: How Many Watts, Panels & Batteries Do You Need?
• Discover Solar Energy: Links to Online Energy Calculators
• Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency