Solar Decathlon

Since 2002, every two years 20 teams of university students compete in the Solar Decathlon (located in Washington DC), a competition to design, build, and operate solar powered homes. There are many rules (which can be viewed by clicking here), some of which include that the finished square footage must be at least 600SF but not exceeding 1000SF, and that the house and all site components must stay within an 18 foot high solar envelope.

The houses are scored not only on net metering, they are also given points for architectural elements, market viability, engineering, lighting design, communications, comfort zone, hot water, appliances and home entertainment.

One of the coolest things for me is that there are Canadian teams that compete in this event. I thought that I’d share a few pictures from their website from past competitions (the next one is in 2011). If you’d like to see more you can check out their website.

2009

Team Ontario/BC:
The team was made up of students from the University of Waterloo, Ryerson University and Simon Fraser University. They came in 4th place with a score of 849.816/1000.

Some highlights include:

• an 11.9kW photovoltaic system - PV panels located on the rooftop as well as vertical panels placed on the South, East and West sides
• evacuated solar tube collectors with cascading warm water storage tanks
• R-60 insulation
• floor-to-ceiling quadruple glazed windows on the South, East and West sides with automated exterior shading
• the bed retracts into the ceiling to provide more area for daily activities

The estimated construction cost for this project is $650,000 - $850,000.

Team Alberta:

The team was made up of students from SAIT Polytechnic, Mount Royal College, the Alberta College of Art and Design, and the Univerity of Calgary. They came in 6th place with a score of 769.410/1000.

Some of the highlights of their house include:

• rustic design featuring post and beam timber frame construction
• 7.6kW crystalline silicon photovoltaic system on the rooftop
• R-44 insulation (structural insulated panels)
• central control system operated by a programmable logic controller
• LED lighting

The estimated construction cost for this project is $450,000 - $650,000

GreenPix: China's Next Great Wall

Tentative Outline

Trying to get a bit of a headstart on my project. I am finding this blog very useful to keep all my ideas in one place, so I am going to try to keep it going. I have just thrown together a tentative 'table of contents' so I can break it out into sections and start researching and putting together some sections, details, etc.

1.0 Introduction

• 1.1 Thesis Question
• 1.2 Conceptual Model
  - brief description of the purpose of model
  -the actual "model" itself will be inserted as a figure

2.0 Photovoltaic Panels

• 2.1 Overview
  -brief history, explanation of how panels work (very brief)
• 2.2 Type of Panel
  -comparison of a few options, should come to a conclusion of one type of panel that will work best for this application
• 2.3 Orientation
  - most likely two will be compared: (A) Completely vertical & (B) at optimum angle for sun exposure in Kamloops BC
  -Figures will be created and then put onto the conceptual model to show aesthetics
• 2.4 Expected Power Output
  -study of weather trends
  -provide an overall estimate for energy output for all the panels (I will be converting this to $$ saved in energy costs later in this report)

3.0 Curtain Walls

• 3.1 Typical Spandrel - Curtainwall Connection
  -wall section
  -connection details as necessary
• 3.2 Alternate PV Panel - Curtainwall Connection
  -wall section
  -connection details as necessary

4.0 Environmental

• 4.1 Carbon Footprints
  -comparing carbon footprints of Hydro Dams, Nuclear Reactors, Solar, Wind & Tidal energy
• 4.2 Benefits
  
  *Note: The environmental section still needs work!

5.0 Economics

• 5.1 Additional Cost
  -will be recieving estimate of curtain wall system 'sans' PV panels
  -Add in cost of PV panels, any extra items needed for connection, extra labour time, etc.
• 5.2 Cost Savings
  -converting the energy produced by the PV Panels to dollars
• 5.3 Payback Periods
  -with all of the info I will have already obtained/calculated I will now calculate the amount of time it will take to pay the additional cost off

6.0 Conclusions
-Answer my thesis question: Is it in fact practical?

ROB IF YOU'RE OUT THERE!!!

Hi Rob,

For some reason I cannot post comments on your blog, but the other day at work a guy came in and did a presentation on valves. I think he might have some information that could help you (maybe). He showed us that there is a PRV that has a generator on it, he said that you could power a radio or something off of it, but it is quite expensive therefore he says they only get used in remote areas where there aren't any powerlines. Anyways give me a shout if you're interested!

Cheers,

Samantha

Revised Abstract Outline

Application of Photovoltaic Panels for High Rise Buildings

How practical would it be to incorporate photovoltaic panels into a curtain wall system for application on a high rise building in Kamloops BC? This question will be explored by determining the environmental benefits, economic costs, and physical viability.

The world is beginning to move towards a sustainable “green” lifestyle and is becoming more aware of the impacts of day-to-day activities on the environment. People are now beginning to drive less and take public transit more; cities are incorporating better recycling strategies into their waste management programs; and, energy efficient appliances are becoming more common. With this trend towards becoming more environmentally friendly, building footprints are becoming smaller, resulting in increased density and taller buildings. In an effort to recognize these trends and plan for the future, this report explores the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels to provide energy for a high rise building in Kamloops BC.

Solar energy is starting to become a viable energy source to supplement the world’s demands. Currently, Canada relies heavily on electricity produced from hydro dams, as shown in figure 1. Hardly any energy is produced by solar, wind or tidal energy sources. Solar energy has potential to become a main provider of “clean energy” due to the relatively low environmental impacts. This report will compare the carbon footprint of solar energy to that of mainstream energy generation techniques such as hydro dams and nuclear reactors. This information will be collected or determined and illustrated through the use of tables and graphs.

Developers are often reluctant to invest in technology with high risk margins. With the current economic climate, the economic benefits for installation of PV panels for this application must be proven. In this case, the extra cost of the PV panels is offset by removing the regular spandrel glass. Estimates will be obtained from the curtain wall manufacturer and the photovoltaic supplier to determine the cost difference. These values will be combined with other calculated costs, such as electricians and extra labor time, to provide an estimate for the overall cost.

With every new technology there is a need for new techniques and methods for application. By investigating current methods of placing photovoltaic panels, as well as methods used to insert the spandrel glass into curtain wall systems, recommendations for the best way to incorporate the two together will be made. One method of placing the PV panel in the curtain wall system is by simply replacing the spandrel glass with the PV panel. This method is expected to be the most efficient way because the insulation behind the panel is not exposed and the least modification to the existing system is required. Other methods, such as placing the PV panel on an angle to the building, will be investigated and wall details will be produced.

With the demand for energy increasing, as shown in figure 2, combined with resources becoming more limited, energy costs will likely rise. Figure 3 shows the cost of hydro electricity, one of the primary energy sources in British Columbia, continuously rising. Eventually there will come a point where energy costs will surpass the cost of incorporating PV panels. The report is expected to conclude that PV panels can be physically placed into a curtain wall system, but financial feasibility will likely be the determining factor for this application to be considered practical.

Figure 1: Based on data from Stats Canada

Figure 2: Based on data from Stats Canada

Figure 3: Based on information provided from BC Hydro’s 2 Step Program

Academic References:

Anderson, Bruce (1990). Solar Building Architecture. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

British Columbia Building Code, 2006.

Glass and Metal Curtain Walls (2004). Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Hastings, Robert, & Well, Maria (2007). Sustainable Solar Housing Strategies and Solutions. Sterling Virginia: Earthscan.

Jarmul, Seymour (1980). The Architect's Guide to Energy Conservation - Realistic Energy Planning for Buildings. USA: Mc-Graw-Hill Inc.

Patel, Mukund R. (2006). Wind and Solar Power Systems. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press

Ross, Michael & Royer, Jimmy (1999). Photovoltaics in Cold Climates. London UK: James & James Ltd.

Smith, Peter F. (2007). Sustainability at the Cutting Edge. Burlington, Ma: Architectural Press.

Smith, Ronald C. & Andres, Cameron K. (1986). Principles and Practices of Heavy Construction.
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.

Williams, Daniel E. (2007). Sustainable Design - Ecology, Architecture, and Planning. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Caught my eye...

When doing research I came across a couple cartoons that really seemed to fit. I wanted to share with you.

theviewfromthepeak.net

the breakthrough.org

Original Graphic!

A lot of people seemed to be confused about why I was talking to curtain wall manufacturers. It seemed that they thought I was focusing on solar energy, which is true but not really the whole picture.

I really liked this concept of "marrying" a photovoltaic panel with a curtain wall panel in order to explain my intentions of applying them both together. I hope you like it too! (click to make it larger)

Abstract Outline

Application of Photovoltaic Panels for High Rise Buildings

How practical would it be to incorporate photovoltaic panels into a curtain wall system for application on a high rise building in Kamloops BC? This question will be explored by determining the environmental benefits, economic costs, and physical viability.

The world is beginning to move towards a sustainable “green” lifestyle and is becoming more aware of the impacts of day-to-day activities on the environment. People are now beginning to drive less and take public transit more, cities are incorporating better recycling strategies into their waste management programs, and energy efficient appliances are becoming more common. With this trend to being more environmentally friendly building footprints are becoming smaller resulting in increased density and taller buildings. In an effort to recognize these trends and plan for the future this report explores the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels to provide energy for a high rise building in Kamloops BC.

Recently the use of solar energy is starting to become a viable energy source to supplement the world’s energy demands. Solar energy has potential to become a main provider of “clean energy” as it has relatively low environmental impacts. This report compares the carbon footprints of solar energy to that of mainstream energy generation techniques such as coal plants, hydro dams and nuclear reactors. This information will be collected or determined and illustrated through the use of a table and graph.

Economics often determine whether a project will proceed. Investors are often reluctant to invest in technology with high risk margins. For this application the extra cost of the PV panels is offset by deducting the cost of the regular spandrel glass. Estimates provided by the curtain wall manufacturing company as well as the photovoltaic supplier will be provided to show the total additional cost incurred. These figures will be combined with other calculated costs for electricians and extra labor time to provide an estimate for the overall cost.

With every new technology there is a need for new techniques and methods in order to apply them. By investigating current methods of placing photovoltaic panels, as well as methods used to insert the spandrel glass into curtain wall systems, recommendations for the best way to incorporate the two together can be made. The overall results will be shown through the creation of a wall detail.

With limited energy resources and increasing demand the cost of energy will only continue to rise. Eventually there will come a point where energy costs will surpass the cost of incorporating PV panels in order to harness solar energy. This report proves the economic, environmental and physical viability through a complete analysis and design of a high rise building incorporating PV panels.

More Updates!

I met with Frank Luciani and Kim Goodall from ACS (Aluminum Curtainwall Systems) on Tuesday. It was really great to get their opinions and also they were kind enough to do a little research for me and show me some alternative solutions. I definitely appreciated their time and opinions, it was really nice to sit down and talk it out a bit with experienced professionals.

Although Frank gave me a lot to think about in terms of more "technologically advanced" ways to provide energy to buildings, I think I am going to stick with my original game plan of incorporating photovoltaic panels to do it. However, some of the avenues that they pointed me down seem to have done some studies comparing their new methods to using photovoltaic panels. This is great news because it gives me new leads to pursue.

As far as being able to incorporate PV panels into a curtain wall system, Frank never said it was impossible. He was reluctant to give me any price quotes since they have never done a curtain wall system like that before. However he did say that they will be able to provide me with an estimate for a regular curtainwall system, so that will definitely help me out with my calculations.

Another thing that Frank brought up is that there might be extra costs for an electrician to come in and install this whole system. I never really thought about that before, so I am going to have to do some research and just see how much of an extra cost that will be.

On the photovoltaic side of things, I have emailed Day4 Energy in Burnaby and am waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully it will be soon!

Thesis Statement

I have been having some trouble with my thesis question. I keep coming back to a "yes-or-no" type question. I don't know if it will be alright like this or if I need to change it so that the answer can't be answered by a simple "yes" or "no".

This is what I have so far. I would definitely appreciate any comments, feedback, or suggestions!

Topic: Incorporating photovoltaic panels into curtain wall systems
Application: High rise buildings in Kamloops BC
Question: Would it be practical?

Statement: Would it be practical to incorporate photovoltaic panels into a curtain wall system for application on a high rise building in Kamloops BC? This question will be explored by determining the environmental benefits, economic costs, and physical viability.

I really want to incorporate something in there about involving local companies because that it going to be a big part of my project. This is definitely a work in progress, so expect to see an updated new-and-improved version coming soon!

Thanks everyone for your input. :)

~Samantha

Solar Cells - FYI

When I started working on this project I realized that I honestly didn't know how photovoltaic panels worked. I wanted to find a video that wasn't too dry that would explain it. This video by Hila Science is still sort of hard to get through, but I think it really explains how the whole system works.

Here is a quick summary:

Photovoltaic cells are quite similar to a battery. Silicon crystals create solar cells; when phosphorus atoms are added to the silicon it creates the negative terminal of the battery and when boron atoms are added to the silicon it creates the positive terminal of the battery. Metal bars embedded in the surface of the cell act as conductors. When light shines on the panel it causes the negative layer to become energized and electrons to flow to the positive layer.

This only produces a small amount of energy so many solar cells need to be grouped together into panels. The amount of energy produced by the sun is about 1000 watts per square meter, and current photovoltaic panels are able to convert approx. 10% of this into energy. But technology is always advancing, so it is expected that soon we will be able to convert much more than this into usable energy.

Note:
Video from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Caf1JIz4X2I&feature=PlayList&p=5F40C3F10400BB3C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=42

The Solaire - NYC

The Solaire is located in Battery Park, NYC. It is certified LEED Gold, and incorporates MANY green features, including using photovoltaic panels (PV) on the west facade of the building where the sun hits the most.

According to a case study done by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the photovoltaic system cost $375,000 with a 4-year payback period. I think this is important because I feel that a 4-year payback period is very reasonable.

The system they use is different than what I am doing in that I am trying to incorporate PV panels into a curtain wall system, whereas they just installed them on the exterior of the building. But it is similar in that I am going to be applying them vertically on the face of the building. It gives me hope that my idea is feasible, and maybe even more so than the system they use in The Solaire since I will be able to offset the cost of the PV panels by taking out the cost of the spandrel glass.

I really REALLY encourage you to to check out this video by the New York Times, "Green Architecture in NYC". It goes on a little mini tour of The Solaire, so you can check out the PV panels and everything else they did to achieve LEED Gold. I think this may be a good excuse to go for a trip to the Big Apple!

Note:
Top picture from: http://www.urbangreencouncil.org/assets/imagesgreen-buildings/the-solaire-battery-park-city-from-contest.jpg
Bottom picture from: http://www.thehighline.org/img/newsletter/122006/greenroof.jpg

First Update!

So I have been slowly coming along with my research, I don't have too much to report at this time except I am now in contact with Inland Glass & Aluminum Ltd./Aluminum Curtainwall Systems Inc. and they have agreed to set up an appointment with me to give me some information that will help me with my project.

Inland Glass & Aluminum Ltd./Aluminum Curtainwall Systems Inc. is a local company here in Kamloops BC. They do manufacturing AND installation of curtainwall sytems. I am really excited that they have agreed to meet with me because I really want to get local businesses involved. It also provides an opportunity to make my project even more "green" by cutting out transportation costs.

I think the next step is to contact some Photovoltaic Suppliers and hopefully be able to get some information from them as well.

Cheers,

~Samantha

Revised Proposal

Application of Photovoltaic Panels for High Rise Buildings

Summary Statement of Proposed Project:
This report will determine the most efficient way to place photovoltaic (PV) panels on the facades of high rise buildings. Also, it will increase understanding and awareness of the cost and benefits of installing PV panels.

Purpose:
With energy costs increasing and with environmental awareness becoming more prevalent there is starting to become a push to increase efficiency and decrease energy consumption. Many products are starting to come onto the market to address these issues although much of what has come out is not understood very well and the environmental benefits and economical costs are not really known. This report will look into the costs and benefits of replacing the spandrel glass between levels on high rise buildings with PV panels as a way of increasing efficiency and decreasing dependence on energy generated in less environmentally friendly ways.

Goals & Objectives:

• To produce a complete and accurate report proving the effectiveness of PV panels for high rise applications.

• To involve local manufacturers.
• To share ideas and information through the report and other means of dissemination.
• To improve communication, problem solving, and researching skills.

Methodology & Analytical Approach:
PV panels will be researched to determine exactly how they work and differentiate between different types of panels to determine what kind of panel will work the best for this application. Different orientations for the panels will be looked at in both the horizontal and vertical directions to determine optimum orientations and to determine at what orientations the panels become ineffective. To do this a sun study will be performed and weather trends will be reviewed to determined how much sun the panels will be subjected to and what angles will get more sunlight.

A conceptual design of a building will be created to assist in the illustration of the solar panel application. The conceptual design will be used to perform shadow studies as well as to determine the orientation mentioned earlier and also to show aesthetics of using the panels.

To determine the economics of this project, local curtain wall and PV panel manufacturers will be contacted to assess the supply and install difference between the two materials. Both types of manufacturers will be consulted to determine suitable mounting techniques. These techniques will be reviewed and necessary modifications will be made where required to give the best possible mounting solution.

The annual energy production of the PV panels will be analyzed and the monetary value of this energy will be determined. With this information and the cost difference of installing the PV panels, the return period of the initial investment will be calculated taking into account interest and inflation rates.

Related Information:
In most cases that PV panels are used, the entire supply and installation cost is additional to the project cost. This makes the return of the initial capital cost longer; therefore, the economic feasibility is less appealing. By removing one material and replacing it with another, the initial capital cost is offset. If the cost difference is relatively minor, the economic feasibility will be higher. This could change the industry in that we may be able to incorporate solar panels in high rise applications with an acceptable rate of return. Since there are local manufacturers of curtain wall systems and photovoltaic panels it is even more environmentally beneficial.

Relative case studies such as The Solaire (National Resource Defense Council, 2003) in Battery Park, NYC illustrate how the proposed application of PV panels compares to current applications. The different applications will be compared and contrasted to determine the best possible method.

Dissemination of work:
The outcomes of this report will be shared to the public through different means including:

• a continually updated online blog
• presentation at the TRU annual undergraduate student research conference
• potential publication of findings into academic journals
• presentations at other relevant conferences
• presentations to the industry
• possible incorporation into a real project: Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Kamloops BC.

Contribution of the Project to my Academic Goals and Objectives:
As there is an increasing demand for smaller building footprints, the height of buildings is getting to be increasingly taller. Because of the smaller footprint size, there is less space available on the roof area to place photovoltaic panels; however, I noticed that there was a large amount of space on the sides. I wanted to try to find a good way to maximize the use of PV panels by making use of the available wall space.

In implementing the project, my role will be to research existing data, and relative case studies, create my own conceptual designs and generate wall details. I will need to contact professionals in the industry to get informed opinions. Ultimately, I will draw my own conclusions and make recommendations for the best way to incorporate solar energy in high rise buildings.

My personal academic objective is to graduate from the Architectural and Engineering Technology program at Thompson Rivers University, and obtain a job in the field of Architectural Design. This would help me to achieve my goal in that it will help me showcase my skills in researching, and also I will be gaining valuable knowledge relevant to the future of green building design.

Proposal

The Effectiveness of Photovoltaic Panels for High Rise Building Applications

Summary Statement of Proposed Project:
This report will determine the most efficient way to place photovoltaic (PV) panels on the facades of high rise buildings. Also, it will increase understanding and awareness of the cost and benefits of installing PV panels.

Purpose:
With energy cost increasing and with environmental awareness becoming more prevalent there is starting to become a push to increase efficiency and decrease energy consumption. Many products are starting to come onto the market to address these issues although much of what has come out is not understood very well and the environmental and economical costs are not really known. This report will look into the costs and benefits of replacing the glass between levels on high rise buildings with PV panels as a way of increasing efficiency and decreasing dependence on energy generated in less environmentally friendly ways.

Goals & Objectives:
Throughout this project a number of items will be covered. These items will include:
• determining the net environmental benefit,
• establishing the configuration of PV panels that will produce the greatest amount of energy over the course of one year,
• determining the economical benefits, and initial cost of replacing the glass panels with PV panels,
• conceiving an effective way to attach the PV panels to the building, taking into account other building materials and techniques, and
• assessing the overall feasibility of this initiative.

Methodology & Analytical Approach:
PV panels will be researched to determine exactly how they work and differentiate between different types of panels to determine what kind of panel will work the best for this application. Different orientations for the panels will be looked at in both the horizontal and vertical directions to determine optimum orientations and to determine at what orientations the panels become ineffective. To do this a sun study will be performed and weather trends will be reviewed to determined how much sun the panels will be subjected to and what angles will get more sunlight.

A conceptual design of a building will be created to assist in the illustration of the solar panel application. The conceptual design will be used to perform shadow studies as well as to determine the orientation mentioned earlier and to show aesthetics of using the panels.

To determine the economics of this project curtain wall and PV panel manufacturers will be contacted to assess the supply and install difference between the two materials. Both types of manufactures will be referenced to determine current mounting techniques. These techniques will be reviewed and necessary modifications will be made where required to give the best possible mounting solution.

The annual energy production of the PV panels will be analyzed and the monetary value of this energy will be determined. With this information and the cost difference of installing the PV panels the return period of the initial investment will be calculated taking into account interest and inflation rates.

Related Information:
In most cases that PV panels are used, the entire supply and installation cost is additional to the project cost. This makes the return of the initial capital cost longer; therefore, the economic feasibility is less appealing. By removing one material and replacing it with another, the initial capital cost is offset. If the cost difference is relatively minor the economic feasibility will be higher. This could change the industry in that we may be able to incorporate solar panels in high rise applications with an acceptable rate of return, therefore making a positive impact on the environment.

Relative case studies such as The Solaire (National Resource Defense Council, 2003) in Battery Park, NYC and The Ouellette Manor (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 1990) in Windsor Ontario illustrate how the proposed application of PV panels compares to current applications. The different applications will be compared and contrasted to determine the best possible method.

Dissemination of work:
The outcomes of this report will be shared to the public through different means including:
• a continually updated online blog
• presentation at the TRU annual undergraduate student research conference
• potential publication of findings into academic journals
• presentations at other relevant conferences

Contribution of the Project to my Academic Goals and Objectives:
As there is an increasing demand for smaller building footprints, the height of buildings is getting to be increasingly taller. Because of the smaller footprint size, there is less space available on the roof area to place photovoltaic panels; however, I noticed that there was a large amount of space on the sides. I wanted to try to find a good way to maximize on the available wall space.

In implementing the project my role will be to research existing data, and relative case studies, create my own conceptual designs and generate wall details. I will need to contact professionals in the industry to get informed opinions. Ultimately, I will draw my own conclusions and make recommendations for the best way to incorporate solar energy in high rise buildings.

My personal academic objective is to graduate from the Architectural and Engineering Technology program at Thompson Rivers University, and obtain a job in the field of Architectural Design. This would help me to achieve my goal in that it will help me showcase my skills in researching, and also I will be gaining valuable knowledge relevant to the future of green building design.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to my blog.

The purpose of this blog is to help share some ideas, and get some feedback for my applied research project. I am trying to find out if incorporating PV Panels onto the facade of high rise buildings would be a practical idea, and also part of a solution to creating more sustainable buildings.

I am really excited about this project and look forward to hearing any and all of your observations. I would also like to invite any feedback from others outside of the Thompson Rivers University ARET program.

Cheers,

Samantha :)