Solar Backup Power Generation

The project goal is to perform a site assessment to identify the optimal location for a solar panel array. Once an optimal location has been identified, we are to submit a completed design including component selection, one-line diagrams, and any necessary schematics and renders. Additionally we will create an economic analysis comparing the cost of the proposed array vs. a diesel generator.

=Problem Definition= Assist the University of Idaho in the planning of a Solar Panel array to power two wells to ensure reliable water delivery. To perform this the following tasks will be performed: =Background= The university operates multiple wells to support the domestic water needs of campus. Backup power generation is needed for two wells in case a disaster occurs and the power grid goes down. Traditionally, diesel generators would be used, but University is seeking a solar PV alternative that can be tied into the campus microgrid. Based on billing data for the wells, we have calculated that the well pumps require approximately 1 MW of power.
 * 1) Investigate the three locations and select one to be designed
 * 2) Design the selected PV array including a solar site assessment, module selection, inverters, support structure, relays, meters, etc.
 * 3) Conduct an economic analysis of the system

=Deliverables=

Specific Site Analysis Data Points
The following Site Analysis Data Points were analyzed:
 * Obvious obstructions to sunlight/energy production
 * Electrical Grid connection points
 * Whether connecting to the microgrid makes sense
 * Physical area available (standard commercial panels will require approximately 65,000 square feet to meet our generation goal of 1 MW)
 * Construction requirements
 * Panel Type and details including a cost analysis
 * Foundational requirements (Panel framing)
 * Physical location angle considerations
 * Physical distance to the wells
 * For sheep farm: Will the panels provide shade for the sheep? Will they impede on grazing area? Will the panels need to be fenced off?
 * Snow Impact

Component Selection Requirements

 * SEL-735 meters for the wells (Marc Compton recommended the 735s)
 * Inverters
 * Protection as discussed with the microgrid team, or with Avista depending on if we connect to microgrid or main grid
 * Energy storage
 * Solar Panels

One-Line Diagram Requirements
Depending on the selected location, it may make sense to create Thevenin Equivalent Circuits, or a full one-line diagram of the system. We will be working closely with our client and the Microgrid Expansion team to ensure that all necessary circuit equivalencies are created.

Schematics and Renders
Schematics and 3-D renders of each project component will be created to visually demonstrate the design concept.

Economic Analysis Requirements
The economic analysis shall be a complete analysis which covers the entire life of the solar array. A cost/benefit analysis shall be conducted to compare the solar array with a typical generator cost for the load size of the wells. All reasonable economic aspects shall be analyzed and used in the comparison.

=Site Assessment= Three sites were selected for analysis: The University of Idaho's Sheep farm, the Kibbie Dome, and Parking Lot #57.

Physical Location
The sheep farm is very close to the wells themselves, but very far from the campus microgrid. The sheep farm also has the largest available area out of all prospective locations. The location being isolated from the microgrid means that we would need to create a new sub-micro grid which comprises of the wells and sheep farm buildings. This adds an extra layer of complexity to the project. This layer of complexity will be further compounded in the future. Ultimately, the goal will be to connect all campus buildings to the microgrid. Absorbing one microgrid into another is much more complex than simply expanding a single microgrid. The location is also located behind a large hill behind Winco, which will minimize the publicity of the array at this location.

Component Considerations
The sheep farm can use a standard frame which will very simply elevate the panels off the ground and allow the panels to be faced at a static angle. The panels used at this location would be standard commercial panels.

Other Considerations
The panels can provide shade and shelter for the sheep, and the sheep in turn reduce maintenance costs by eating the grass under the panels.

Physical Location
The Kibbie Dome is farther from the wells than the Sheep Farm, but much closer to the campus mircogrid. The Kibbie Dome has a roof surface area of approximately 98,968 square feet. The Kibbie Dome roof has a semi-circular cylindrical shape arcing in the North/South direction.

Component Considerations
The Kibbie Dome has a metallic frame structure with a thin sheet covering over the frame to create the roof. For our design, this structure means that using standard commercial panels and frames would not be possible. For the Kibbie Dome, a thin film panel would be required. Thin film solar panels have a typical trade-off of being either half as efficient while maintaining a similar cost to commercial panels, or being as efficient as commercial panels with almost twice the cost.

Other Considerations
Due to the shape of the Kibbie Dome and Moscow's latitude, placing solar panels only on the South facing side makes sense. Even then, only a small portion of the Kibbie Dome's south facing side would be at the ideal angle for generation. Additionally, due to cost constraints the Kibbie Dome would likely use thin-film solar panels which are only half as efficient as typical commercial panels. This means that the initial estimation of 65,000 square feet is doubled to 130,000 square feet for thin film solar panels. Recall that the Kibbie Dome roof only has 98,968 square feet, meaning that there is not enough physical area on the Kibbie Dome to meet the generation goal of 1 MW. Additionally, since only a small portion of the Kibbie Dome would be at the ideal angle, placing panels on the Kibbie Dome roof would only provide a small fraction of the generation requirements, and the project would require significant supplementation in power generation. The Kibbie Dome has a lot of good publicity potential since it is already a campus icon. The Kibbie Dome would have the highest maintenance costs due to the extra training and safety resources required to access the roof.

Physical Location
Parking Lot #57 is farther from the Wells than the Sheep farm, but much closer to the campus microgrid. The parking lot has an area of approximately 169,274 square feet.

Component Considerations
The design for the parking lot would consist of panels on top of a covered parking space structure. The panels used would be standard commercial panels.

Other Considerations
The parking lot would provide the greatest benefit to students by providing cars with some protection from the elements. Additionally the parking lot has a good publicity potential since the parking lot is used frequently by Alumni visiting for football games.

Location Summary
=Schedule= The following are major Project Milestones: Project Schedule		08 October, 2019 Snapshot Day 1			15 October, 2019 Design Validation Plan		24 October, 2019 Project Value Proposition	31 October, 2019 Draft Wikipage			07 November, 2019 Concept Design Review		22 November, 2019 Snapshot Day 2			06 December, 2019 Semester 1 Final Deliverables	13 December, 2019 Engineering Release Review	21 February, 2020 Snapshot Day 3			10 March, 2020 Design Expo Deliverables	01 May, 2020 Semester 2 Final Deliverables	08 May, 2020

=Specifications= Product Specifications will go here.

=Project Learning= Throughout the course of the project our team has learned a great deal about various types of solar panels, their efficiency, cost, output, and optimal angles.

Spokane Microgrid
The Spokane Microgrid team found that bidirectional solar panels worked well for their design for the microgrid of the city of Spokane. Due to our approximately similar physical location on the Earth, we decided these panels were worth looking into as well.

Solorado
The website solaradoenergy.com is a great resource for information on Colorado University's solar carport project.

EnergySage
The website energysage.com has great compare and contrast between popular solar panels. It allows the user to quickly compare features of different panels including factors such as rated power and efficiency.

Solar Electricity Handbook
The website solarelectricityhandbook.com has an ideal panel angle calculator which determines your latitude on the Earth and calculates ideal panel angles for that location. We used this site to determine the optimal angles for panels to be the following: 20 degrees from vertical in the Winter 44 degrees from vertical in the Spring and Fall 68 degrees from vertical in the Summer

=Final Design= Stay tuned for more updates as the year progresses! =Validation= Stay tuned for more updates as the year progresses! =Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule

Gantt Chart

Meeting Agendas

To view in chronological order, click on the Name header. Agenda Folder

Meeting Minutes

To view in chronological order, click on the Name header. Minutes Folder

Presentations

Design Review