lected by several electronic digital displays and over a score of thermometers.
Wright Community College Consisting of a complex of 7 structures, including the 4-story pyramid housing, the Learning Resource Center, a campus center and a 7-story parking facility at 4300 N. Narragansett, Wright is part of Chicago’s Community College system. It is the first of the group to go solar as the result of installing equipment that will warm 400 gallons of water daily for use in the Science Building, in which the school’s cafeteria is also located. Operation began during the week of June 25, 2007. Primary funding was provided again through grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation as well as the Illinois Renewable Energy Resource Program administered by the Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.
First Phase There are two initial phases to the Wright solar program, the first being heating water for school use, which is intended to reduce the school’s utility bills. The broader goals are to protect the environment and educate students and the surrounding community in the advantages of using alternative energy sources. Wright began a Building Energy Technologies curriculum in 2006 to teach students practical applications of renewable energy concepts and their efficiency in replacing existing systems powered by non-renewable sources. It is through this course of study that the educational benefits of the new installation will flow both to students and beyond the institution’s walls. “The solar hot water
system is a focal point for both our educational curriculum and for our community activities,” explained David Inman, Project Manager of the Building Technologies program. “Wright is an active member in the surrounding community and we will certainly let the community know we are utilizing solar energy and offer tours.” The 6 solar panels in the layout could not be mounted on the roof because penetrations would nullify warrantees so they have been attached to the penthouse wall of the Science Building. Their configuration has the appearance of a 10-foot by 25-foot awning. Operation is similar to that at Shabazz and Governor’s State. Data on energy savings will not be available until the system has been in operation for a sufficient time to measure the results. The school’s administrators hope to make even greater use of solar water heating capacity of the existing system during ensuing summers so that it can supplant completely, at least on a periodic temporary basis, the one conventional boiler that it complements. “There is a possibility that the system, once we get it fully dialed in, could allow us to even shut that boiler down for periods- so we could do maintenance and more- and that would be just an outstanding outcome,” explained Inman.
Second Phase The second phase of Wright’s solar plans is a photovoltaic system that is wired into the security lighting system in the parking structure. It also began operation during the week of June 25. Data displays indicate that it is operating above its rated capacity, noted Inman. Wright would like to expand its harnessing of the sun’s power by adding solar panels to the
8 ChiCagoland Building & environmentS
Learning Resource Center for hot water to that building and increasing the number of photovoltaic panels on the parking structure to further enhance the pv lighting system there, but funding is questionable at this time. “We definitely want to see the campus more energy independent,” said Inman, “but securing the money to do so from the District’s budget or another source is a high hurdle to clear.”
Notre Dame High School Notre Dame High School in Niles became the first secondary school in Illinois to adopt solar technology to warm water when it installed a system that furnishes this vital liquid for its science wing. Demand had exceeded the ability of the conventional electric powered heater to provide the required supply so a decision was made to harness the sun’s energy via a solar arrangement capable of heating 200 gallons of water per day. Through the operation of this three solar panel layout the school expects to reduce its usage of electricity by 14,000 KWH yearly, which should produce a savings of thousands of dollars over the 30 year anticipated life of the equipment, according to Solar Service which installed the apparatus. Approximately 13 fewer tons of carbon dioxide will be discharged into the atmosphere annually. Grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and private foundations should result in the system paying for itself in 3 years.
Looking at Future Jobs As at other schools that have gone solar, Notre Dame expects their system to also serve as a teaching tool for its students to stimulate their interest in careers in the alternative energy field. “There will be tens of thousands of jobs in renewable energy in the future,” said Tim Herling, Director of Operations at Notre Dame. “Why not put the boys in this school in the front of this industry? If this is the future, let’s start here.” Notre Dame has other plans- one under consideration is a large solar thermal system to provide hot water to the rest of the campus, including the cafeteria. A photovoltaic system and a wind generator are other future possibilities. In addition, the school has received funding from British Petroleum under its A+ for Energy Program. “ It is a $10,000 grant which will go towards a science curriculum which will explore all aspects of alternative energy across the various areas of science including chemistry, physics, earth science and astronomy,” explained Teresa Connelly, Director of Media Relations for the institution. ≠
autumn 2007