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?