SolarPanelInstallationProposal SolarPowerIntensive2013 TheYoungWomensLeadershipSchoolofAstoria 2315NewtownAvenue Astoria,NewYork11102

ProposalPreparedByStudentsintheSolarPowerIntensive: PerlSingh,SohanaYesmin,JuanitaBernal,JenniferCaceresMolina,SamihaChowdhury, HadisaChowdhury,MichelleCorrera,CharlotteCunsolo,SofiaFiohuetti,ShannonGreve, RosarioHernandez,GabriellaHerrera,AnikaIslam,AnitaKwok,BriannaLezcano,Jesenia Ludizaca,MichelleMorales,AlexaMorante,NourhanMostafa,NerminMostafa,Nadin Mostafa,MichelleRivas,JenniferRivas,KeelyRivera,HafsaSabri,RashmiSarker,Daniela Toribio,KaylaToscano,MariaValencia,MalihaYeasmin,AngieYousry,NayelliZambrano

Formoreinformation,pleasevisitusatflicktywls.weebly.com/contact.

A.ProposalOverview&Rationale ProposalSummary TYWLS of Astoria is proposing to develop and install a solar panel system in the schoolto help save energy while teaching students how to make the world and the school a much cleaner and more convenient environment. The solar panel system will be placed in the southwest corner of theschool building,as acanopy stylesystem. Thecanopy willbe an area for middle and high school students who can have lunch outside while saving energy right above their heads. TYWLS decided to use photovoltaic panels. A photovoltaic (PV) panel is one of the many types of solar panels. Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electricity which is more useful for our school (V. Ryan, 2009). Also, there are someuseful things that (PV) panels provides us. They provide us with clean green energy so that duringgeneration, no harmful gases are generated. Also (PV) panels are silent, therefore reducing noise pollution(RenewableEnergyWorld,19992013). WomeninSolar TYWLS students are committed to developing intellectual minds and using creativity and collaboration to meet goals. They work together almost like a sisterhood to get to their objectives. As a result of women being poorly represented in many fields of work and education, TYWLS of Astoria sets a standard to all students that women are able to achieve work in a maledominated world. Learning about Solar Energy is not only for men but for women too. Engineering as a job that is always considered as a job that many men do. The girls hereat TYWLS hope tochange themindsets sothat womenare moreengaged with solar energyorengineeringasacareer(seeAppendixA). EnvironmentalBenefits In our society wedepend onelectricity forour everydaylives andwe havebecome dependent on it. Few are knowledgable that we are immensely harming the environment day by day emitting fossilfuels, suchas coal,oil andnatural gasinto theair. Wehave become awarethat these resources are not endless, and that burning them to produce energy releases gases and airborne particles. "Green energy" is a movement towards producing energy from renewable sources, such as solar, that do not have a negative effect on our environment (Happy News, Inc19992008). EducationalBenefits Solar panels would let students andteachers gainan understandingof how solar modelswork and how solar energy is made. Knowing this information will give them the opportunity to experience how technology works and provide a reallife example of how circuits work and the process of energy transfer. The installed system would include data collecting monitors that inform students about carbon dioxide emissions and how much carbon dioxide is being resolved each day from the original carbon we emit to our atmosphere each day. It will also teach students concepts suchas how to effectivelymanage electricuse inschool andat home. They can manage the uses by looking at carbon dioxide output and oxygen levels in the atmosphere from data monitors installed in our solar system. These skills can be taught through the Green Energy Club at TYWLS after school as well as in middle school science

classrooms. In 8th grade science class students will be able to learn about the scientific research process by making predictions on energy output using the schools solar panels. Students will make hypotheses and form their own ideas about how solar will work using weather as independent variables and solar energy output as dependent variables. Students can get realworld experience through data collected from modern technologyto analyzeand draw conclusions that tie to environmental science in a uniton sustainability.In mathclasses students would have the opportunity to read the schools energy data in different charts and learn to calculate mean, median, mode and range. In high school math classes students can learn to plot data regarding the schools energy use with and without solar panelsin order to solve equations through the use of graphing calculators. Duringgeometry classstudents will be able to measure and classify angles based on solar panel positioning in our school building, estimate area requiredto havea specificnumber ofsolar panels. Theunderstanding of solar panel geometry would assist them in calculating area and volume of 3 dimensional objects. In history students as well can learn to make comparisons betweenancient times,the industrial revolution to presenttime (the21st century).InEnglish LanguageArts classesof all grade levels, students would have anopportunity tosummarize theirthoughts onthe worldin writing and speaking basedon theirideas regardingschool solarpanels. Studentswill learnto have much more stronger leadership skills and communication skills in english, math and science classesthat willhelp themsucceed incollege andbeyond. (Forthe studentcurriculum refertoAppendixB.) In college and future careers many of our students will be able to utilize the skills of graphing, writing lab reports,communicating andcollaborating withother collegestudents no matter what area of work they choose. Onsite school solar energy systems also serve as unique educational tools. Childhood experiences have a way of influencing the rest of our lives, and we believe solar projects for K12 schools can make a lasting impact on students and help them see clean, renewable solar power as a viable option for the future. (Real GoodsSolar,Inc.2013) B.WhatisSolarPower/Energy? Solar energy is natural energy that is produced by the suns rays. A solar panel is made of many solar cells each solar cell has layers of electrons that moves vigorously to produce solar power from the suns rays.. Silicon atoms are arranged together in a tightly bound structure to make up a solar cell.(Physics.org). Solar power works because a solar panel is first placed in the direction wherethe sunsenergy shinesand absorbssunlight. Sincethe sun comes from the southwest the solar panel must be placed in the same direction to absorb the sunlight. Sunlight contains photons which are absorbed by the silicon, or other semiconducting material, when they hit thesolar panel.The electronsin thesilicon atomsare then displaced and a number are released, allowing electric fields in the cells to pull the free electrons into a current.The metalcontacts onthe topand bottomof thePV cell arethen able togenerateelectricity.(PacificRenewables,Inc.2013) The longer the sun hits the panel, the more energy is made to supplement the schools

electricity use and reduce the schoolscarbon footprint.In theMount Laurelschool districtin New Jersey,solar panelinstallation hasresulted in160 tonsof carbondioxide savedannually, the equivalent of planting 3,326 trees. (Mount Laurel School District, 2010). All together, 713 panels have been installed at Harrington schooland 1,330panels atHartford school.The combined energy generated between the two buildings in the future is estimated at 470.12 kilowatt hours. (Mount Laurel School District, 2010) After TYWLS considers placement of the solar panel they will consider the type of panel to use. Either solar panels that remain tilted so they can get the most energy out of the sun, or solar panel trackers that track the direction of the sun. Since TYWLS is a large school, there should be alarge solar panelthat can be placed on the ground while making it an area for students to eat lunch underneath. After applying this solar panel, once the sun hits the panel it begins toabsorb in thesunlight and will send it to the building for use as heat, light or any other electrical chargeusage that is needed. DC power, the current of electricity flows in one direction. In AC power, the current moves in both directions along a wire both forward and backwards.Some products, like light bulbs, can run on eitherDC orAC power.But becauseAC power can be sentlong distances easily, electricity networks in the U.S. were set up to use AC. (AC electricity can easily change between higher and lowervoltage levels,and highvoltages allow longdistance transmission). C.FinanceandBudget When thinkingabout thecost forsolar panelsit isessential toview twomain components, the installation cost and the equipment cost (SunRun, Inc. 2013). A system installment can cost from $2,000$4,000. The reason for this range of installation depends on the amount of the watts and kilowatt hours being used in the building. Solar panel systems last 1540 years depending on the amount of active use, or the amount of sunshine converted into electricity by the solar panels (Green Sun Energy Services, LLC, 2013). Most systems are only in use for 6 to 8 hours per day. Thissystem, however,will bein placeduring the wholeschool day, which is around 7 am to5 pm. Theenergy fromthe sunis always stored in thesespanels but are used when in need and no energy is being directly wasted, therefore therewill always be enough energy. Having solar panels can help save money. According to Money Hound, Governments forcingpower companiesto buygreen energyback fromhouseholds withsolar panels has seen solar installation prices drop by about 80 percent in the past 18 months (Lauren Leisk, 2013). They save 80 percent [on their energy bills] andthat isa huge amount of money people are saving. In leasing solar power energy there are no downpayments. In addition to all the cost of installations, all these still benefit in saving for our monthly electricity bills therefore we have low monthly payments. (For a list of the ways The Young Womens Leadership School of Astoria hasbegun toreduce itsenergy consumptionand seek funding,refertoAppendixC.) MaterialsNeeded Uniqueearlybuyoutopportunityifyoudecidetobuysystembeforeendofterm Flexibleoptionsatendofleasetermrenew,buyorreturnthesystem.

 Retail prices for electricity increase every year as depicted in this graph of 2011, but it will continue to increase. The electricity demands rise by about 0.9% each year (Solar Topps, 2010). If the Solar System is installed, a large payment of bills will not be a major concern for this school. The same amountof electricitycan bein usebut thebill cost willbe reduced. Since this generation demands for greater use of technology it is likely that there will be a high electric bill (Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc. 2013). As stated in TYWLS Audit, there are 15,000 kilowatt hours per month. Ifsolar isinstalled thenthere canbe the sameuse of electricity but the bill will definitely reduce. Utility rates rise every year and no one individual hascontrol overthe prices.With RealGoods Solarsdesign ofthe canopywill be a 40%coverageontheamountofenergyusageoftheschool. Wouldyouratherkeeppayingmoreforelectricityorstabilizeyourcostwith Solar?

 NotonlyisretailrategoingupforNewYorkbutitisthelargestinthe country.

Source:http://www.energyxxi.org/mapretailelectricitypricesstate

WarrantyOptions Solar panel systems last a long time dependingon theamount ofactive use,or the amountof sunshine converted into electricityby thesolar panels.Most systemsare onlyin usefor 6 to 8 hours per day. Real Goods has a 25 year manufacturer product warranty (Real Goods Solar, Inc. 2013). RealGoods doesservice callsif anythinghappens tothe materialthey will repair it. EnPhase, a company that manufactures microinverters provides a 15 year warranty on their microinverters(Enphase Energy,2013). Solarpanels havebeen reportedto last30 to40 years(GreenSunEnergyServices,LLC,2013). D.SafetyInformation: The timeframe for the solar panel installation would be depending on how long theapproval from the DOE, landlord and buildings department, would take. The actual installation can takeasshortasafewdays. Health Solar panels present a very low safety hazard. Extreme precaution is taken during their installation, including assuring a secure environment for the panels where there is no risk of fire. In the event of a fire in the building it is very unlikely that the solar panel wouldcause any severe health concerndue tothe highmelting pointof thematerials containedinside. The solarpowersalsoareextremelysturdyandcanwithstandanytypeofweatherform. Materials Installing solar panels would not require any structural change on the building. Having solar panels on the school would only increase the property's worth.Installingsolar panelsis asafe investment for the owner of the building because it is low risk since there is no structural damage, the system will pay for itself and it ensures a more steady and controllable energy cost. The company installing the solar panels also offers a long insurance and maintenance coverage, making the investment more profitable. Manufacturers will usually provide a 25 year warranty on the panels plus a 5 year labor warranty. Micro inverters will also be guaranteedfor25yearsandthesingleinverterswillbeguaranteedfor810years.

AppendixA:StudentThoughtsandLearningActivities WomeninSolar Learning about Solar Energy is not only for men but for women too. It is educational and beneficial for an average human in this world.Engineering asa jobis alwaysconsidered as a job that only men do (Woods, 2013). Students at The Young Womens Leadership School of Astoria are going to change the mindset that women should avoid being engaged with solar energy as a job. They are not the first ever girls who thought of learning and using solar energy. Visits from saleswomen from Real Goods Solar were inspiring and informative. We learnedthatfewerwomenthanmenworkforRealGoods. LEEDCertifiedModelHouses Students createdLEED (Leadershipin Energy& EnvironmentalDesign) certifiedgingerbread houses. Gingerbread houses were built to show the different ways to save energy in houses. Supplies were carefully planned out in order to reduce the number of trips taken. The reduction of trips reduces harm to the environment caused by burning fossil fuels. Dark colored candies like Hershey chocolate were used as a solar panel because the sun hits dark colors rather than light colored solar panels. The gingerbread also included a lighter colored roof because the lighter color reflects off the sun. It was found that the safest way to go to places without spending money or producing greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane,istousebettertransportation,likebicycles. SolarCars Solar energy cars (in which were created circuits using polycrystalline solar panels to run a motor) were built. These cars run by a motor, and are connected by wires to the roof of the car, because the roof of the cars contains the solar panel. Whenever the solar panel gets heated up with sunlight or a lamp, the electricity runs through a circuit that is connected to the motor, which is connected to the wheels that make the carmove. Thesolar panels on the car were placed in different ways (some wereflat, otherswere slanted)to seewhich one runs faster. The students worked in groupsthrough aprocess ofdesign (discussedhow theywould put wheels and the base of the car together) to put the pieces together. In order to do so,hot glue was used and they didnt want to use a lot ofhot gluebecause that could affect how the solar car runs. Then they manufactured the car by putting parts together, testing, revising(to improve the model of the car to try to make it work better), and then racing. The solar cars could move with solar energy withoutwasting fueland atthe sametime, canbenefit from the sun.Thelightbulbrepresentedtheenergyofthesun.

AppendixB:StudentMadeSolarCurriculum EssentialQuestion Whatissolarenergyandwhyisitimportanttohavesolarpanelsinourschoolandworld? GuidingQuestions Math(Humanities8thgrade,Algebra1,Geometry,Algebra2/Trigonometry,Calculus) HowcanyoucalculatetheareaofagivenspaceusingformulassuchasA=L*W*H etc. Howcanyougraphdatafromalinearequationonagraphingcalculator? Howcanyoufindthemean,median,rangeandmodewhengivendata? Science(MiddleSchoolScience,EarthScience,Chemistry) Whatistheimportanceofsolarenergyandkeepingourworldgreen? Whatarethepositiveandnegativeaspectsofsolarenergyandglobalwarming? Whatarecircuitsandhowaretheymade? Whatisthedifferencebetweenkineticandpotentialenergy? Whatarefossilfuels/carbonfootprints/globalwarming? Whatisthescientificmethod? EnglishLanguageArts(MiddleSchoolandHighSchoolEnglish) Howcanyousummarizeyourthoughtsontheworldwiththewritingprocess? Howcanyoupersuadepeopleforyourcausebybeingpersuasiveinyourwriting? SocialStudies(MiddleSchooland9thgradeGlobalHistory) Howcantheindustrialrevolutionsenvironmentbecomparedorcontrastedwiththe 21stcentury? Whataretheeffectsoffossilfuelsandglobalwarmingthroughancienthistory? StudentObjectives STUDENTSWILLKNOWANDWILLBEABLETODO: Leadership/Groupwork ScientificMethod Determiningtheimportanceofkeepingourenvironmentclean Saveenergy Summarize/Retell Solvingproblemsandcreatingsolutions GraphingLinearequationswithdata Calculatingpercentcompositionanddifference Gainanunderstandingofhowsolarpanelswork Createcircuits Learnhowtodomean,median,rangeandmode. Theprocessofenergytransferfromsolarenergytoelectricalenergytokineticenergy

KeyTerms/Vocabulary Goal Scientificmethod Problem/Solution Kinetic/PotentialEnergy Greenhousegases/Globalwarming EnglishLanguageLearners/ESL: ELLswillbeabletofollowtheworkshop,beinvolvedincauseandshareideaswithother students. Steps In our solar energy intensive we have taken many steps to learn about the effects of using solar energy. Some of them were building examples of solar house usinggingerbread houses and making solar panel cars and circuits. These gave us clearer examples of what it is we need to know about the solar panel and how it will impact our schooland the energy it uses. In the article, Five Benefits of Solar Energy author Steve Wright says, ...the five major benefits of solar power are: Changing Relationships with Public Utilities, Healthy Financial Incentives, Minimal Environmental Impact, LaborIntensive Production Regimes, Geopolitical Benefits This demonstrates how solar power shouldn't be mistaken for a cureall that's capable of singlehandedly solving all of the world's social, environmentaland political problems. However, it's a valuable technology that is very packed with traditional sources of energy. All in all, its benefits are undeniable. In the future, solar power is said to have a lasting and overwhelmingly positive impact on our society. We learnedthese through the activities we have done in our class,such asthe makinggingerbread houses,giving us an exampleofahouseusingsolarenergy. Every step we took to do this activity showed us how using solar energy is better for our environment. We used food to represent each part of the house that uses solar energy. We even created circuits to create a car that runs on solar power by adding the circuits to the motor and shining a light on the solar panel to see if the car would run. Wealso hadvisitors from companies like AltPower and RGS (Real Goods Solar) to come and give a proposal about their solar panels and their companies. We decided as a class that we found RGS proposal more successful and decided to choose their company. Afterwards, we had more visitors come over from RGS to guide us through the process of writing grants and our researchofthesolarpanelsthatcouldbeprovidedforourschool.

AppendixC:EnergyCampaign&Crowdsourcing,GrantWriting EnergyCampaign&Crowdsourcing Different campaigns were created about ways energy can be saved in the school and what TYWLS students can do to save energy. For example: posters, websites on social media platforms, and even a rap song was created in order to promotethese efforts.The purpose of learning how to conserve energy isdue tothe energychallenge thatTYWLS willbe entering. In the energy challenge, schools are competing against other schools to see which school saves themost energy.The schoolthat winsthe energychallenge willwin $5,000.If TYWLS was to win the energy challenge,they willbe closerto theirgoal, whichis to putsolar panels ontheschool.Theenergycampaigncanbefoundat http://flicktywls.weebly.com http://tywlsleed.weebly.com http://turn0ffthelights.tumblr.com/ https://twitter.com/TYWLSGoesGreen and in the hallways and by the light switches of The Young Womens Leadership School of Astoria.Studentsalsocreatedacrowdsourcingcampaign: http://www.rockethub.com/projects/37222 Grants Solar panels are very good for the environment,but theyare abit costly.So to help make the cost load of the solar panels less many girls started to apply for grantsfrom both privateand public sources. It was a hard and long process to find grants that our public New York City school iseligible forand applyfor them.Even thoughthe processwas long,grantwriting is a valuablewaytosecurefundsforaprojectsuchasthisone.