Renewable Power and Energy
PI: Prof. Jaime Ramos
This Lab's research focuses on fully-functional solar resource assessment, energy generation and energy storage systems installed and integrated into two campus facilities. The research team is constructing a micro grid in the lab. A primary goal is the integration of solar technologies to AC and DC grids, allowing for more efficient use of energy. The lab is also developing new analytical methods and accurate test procedures for characterizing the electrical performance of photovoltaic modules and arrays.
The teacher will learn the use of our solar facility web services for power production on campus, then use these to calculate efficiency of energy conversion of fixed and tracking arrays. Teachers will also be able to operate laboratory instrumentation to measure current voltage characteristics of individual photovoltaic modules, then use these to calculate energy output throughout the day. The project would be appropriate for middle and high-school science, physics, or math teachers, and would strengthen curriculum concepts such as sources and property of energy, electricity, and energy conversion. It would also be appropriate for technology teachers, as they would be able to reproduce laboratory sessions in their schools.
