Also:
TE has educated and inspired schools to conclude that making best use of institutional property needn't stop when school is out. Due to improved subsidies and short payback periods, school board members have not only signed on, but have seized the opportunity to turn schoolyards that are otherwise empty in the summer into revenue streams powered by the sun. The summer sun spins e-meters of vacant schools backwards, and wintertime consumption is cut. Our institutional customers shrewdly incorporate a high performance TurtleEnergy system to work tirelessly on the roof, out of sight with no moving parts.
Early on, TurtleEnergy saw an opportunity to "turn on" local schools to solar as a way of positively impacting the next generation. A curriculum which combined the science of solar energy and the importance of conservation could be the breeding ground for our best citizens.
Q:
- What sorts of vital information will be gleaned from a TE energy audit?
- What are the key installation process milestones?
- How can on-site energy generation be used as a tool for education?
- What kinds of solar applications are there to consider?
- What's included in a typical PV solar roof system install?
A:
1. Many schools don't realize how much energy they throw away, or how much potential there is for saving energy or for on-site collection. TE energy audits examine lighting loads; cumulative energy consumed by building motors, pumps, condensers, ventilation, and surveys the potential for natural light integration. In response to the audit, TE delivers the most cost effective solutions targeting specific operational needs, resulting in substantial energy savings.
2. Examine energy generation potential, determine which rebates or incentives apply, make structural considerations, requirement review, project timeline and tasks, and prepare preliminary plan and budget estimate.
3. Many educational institutions are using their already beneficial clean energy systems as a starting point for teaching about energy resources, conservation and other energy topics. Schools are actively working their PV installations into their school curricula to teach the science of proper building design, thermodynamics, electricity generation and storage, engineering, and other subjects.
4. Thin film photovoltaic laminates adhered directly to a roof surface, photovoltaic Panels adhered to roof surface with mounting racks/roof brackets, tracking arrays designed to follow the sun year-round, or any combination. Call a TurtleEnergy consultant to consider the possibilities or see our contact page.
5. A complete Solar System is comprised not only of solar panel arrays but also includes the following support components: inverters (DC to AC conversion), combiner boxes, disconnect switches, isolation transformer, utility interface, and an optional data monitoring system. See our "why renewable energy?" page for a visual breakdown of system components.
