Solar Powered Air Conditioning For Elderly, Low Income Houstonians

Solar Powered Air Conditioning for Elderly, Low Income Houstonians
Robert L. Howard, Jr., Ph.D. National Society of Black Engineers Houston Space Chapter
Introduction
The Need
Air conditioning can be as high as 25-40% of a households annual energy costs Many low-income residents cannot afford this and go without air conditioning 60,000 homes in Houston without power in 2001; only 14,443 in all of Texas received assistance Senior citizens accounted for 14 out of 20 heat-related deaths in Houston in 2001
NSBE Houston Space Chapter August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar
Introduction
The Need
CDC reports fans are useless at temperatures above 90 deg F with humidity above 35%
Spur movement of hot, humid air Causes increased heat stress accelerates body hearting and raises internal body temperature Essentially turns room into convection oven Should not be used for preventing heat-related illness in areas of high humidity
Introduction
Problem persists despite local efforts to
help
Window air conditioners donated, but wiring in many homes cannot handle added load 1998 fatality: widower had turned off air conditioner to save money Houston libraries and multipurpose centers open as cooling centers, but inaccessible to some: elderly less mobile, afraid to leave home, lack transportation
Introduction
Excellent opportunity for NSBE and
NASA to come together in mutual fulfillment of charters NSBE-Houston Space Chapter can make a positive impact by installing solar powered air conditioners in as many elderly, low income households as possible
Introduction
Provides a cool zone within home elderly
do not have to leave homes to be safe Does not interfere with limited house wiring Will not increase household electric bill Technology available off the shelf, but not accessible to these communities cost and unfamiliarity; we will bring it to them
Introduction
Harmony of NSBE and NASA objectives
NASA vision is to improve life here, to extend life there, to find life beyond. NSBE mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community
Solar power system improves life here in a culturally responsible way that positively impacts the community If we dont do it, who will?
Introduction
Service project may well save lives; at
minimum it will increase the comfort of our elderly Also benefits chapter members by providing hands-on technical experience many will not encounter in day-to-day job responsibilities
Brief Survey of Solar Electric Power

More than just a set of solar panels
Variety of components required for proper
functioning Photovoltaic Panel

Three basic types: single crystal silicon, polycrystal silicon, and thin film/amorphous Convert sunlight directly into DC electricity

Inverter
Converts DC electricity into AC electricity Most home appliances require AC power
Battery
Provide energy storage for use when solar panels cannot receive sunlight Also supplement panels to smooth power level Most are Lead-acid (30% sulfuric acid) Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) type recommended requires no maintenance and cannot leak

Charge Controller
Used in any solar power system that includes batteries Blocks reverse current (solar panels draining batteries) and prevents battery overcharge May also prevent battery overdischarge, protect from electrical overload, and display battery status and flow of power

Power Outlets and Wiring
Proper gauge wiring essential to avoid poor performance of appliances and possible fire risks Power outlets sometimes include circuit protection
Frame/Structure
Hold solar panels in place; roof or pole mounts; some pole mounts track sun
Overview of Mars Testbed Solar Recharge Station

Some in-house JSC experience with solar
power systems
Environmental Office (COD) and Advanced EVA Group built a solar recharge station as part of a Mars testbed activity Used commercially available components from Solarcraft (Stafford, TX) Purpose was to demonstrate how state-of-theart technology can improve life on earth as well as explore space
NSBE Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

Reads like a prelude to this project
HSC will seek to tap into their expertise
and possibly their relationship with Solarcraft Will also seek to coordinate with MOD and Engineering Directorate organizations involved with solar power
Solar Powered Air Conditioning System

Two main options exist:
Daylight-only system (no batteries)
Simpler, significantly less expensive Offers no cooling between sunset and dawn
Continuously operating system (requires batteries)

Provides constant temperature More expensive and complex
Presentation will explore both options, but will not choose between them

Daylight-only Configuration

Continuous Operation Configuration
Subsystem Data
In order to conduct a preliminary sizing,
data was compiled on commercially available solar power subsystems and air conditioning units
Voltage, wattage, amperage, BTU cooling capacity, price, vendor, etc.
Preliminary System Sizing

Complete solar-powered air conditioning
system sized based on current vendor prices Should not be construed as an exact specification of what the system will look like or cost
Prices, component availability subject to change Chapter may decide to construct items inhouse rather than use commercial equipment

Should be viewed as a ballpark estimate
Both options (daytime vs. continuous)
sized For simplicity, continuous system assumes:

12 hours charge time; 10 hours discharge time
Overcast conditions not modeled in this
analysis

Both options assume cooling for a 300 to
350 square foot area, which includes a kitchen Rule of thumb suggests 8,000 BTU air conditioner for this square footage, with additional 4,000 BTU to account for kitchen heat Selected 1140 W Kenmore 12,300 BTU Multi-Room Air Conditioner
Preliminary System Sizing Option 1 (Daytime-only)

Photovoltaic Panel
SAPC-165 multicrystalline module 156 W per module, $612 Total of seven required, for cost of $4284
Panel Mounting
UTRF64 Passive Tracking Mount Tracks sun passively (no electric power) Holds all seven SAPC-165, costs $989

Inverter
Sized based on power generated Using Powerstar 1300 inverter, but requires DC Converter
Powerstar operates at 12 V, photovoltaic panels operate at 24 V Powerstar costs $540, converter costs $285 for total of $825.00

Wiring and Receptacle
Length will vary with each house; impossible to specify in advance Assuming generic value of $200
Total cost for Option 1: $6,698 One unresolved concern: uneven power
supply levels may damage air conditioner Chapter will need to resolve concern
Preliminary System Sizing Option 2 (Continuous Operation)

Batteries
AGM batteries chosen - 12V Concorde PVX2120L offers the best value (2520 W-hrs) Six batteries required to meet power goal Cost $304.95 each, for a total of $1,829.70
Photovoltaic Panels
15 SAPC-165 providing 2400W at $5,999.85
Inverters
Two Powerstar 1300 Inverters at $1,080
Preliminary System Sizing Option 2 (Continuous Operation)

Charge Controller
Trace C35: three units used one for every two batteries Total cost: $337.05
Tracking Mounts
Two UTRF64 tracking mounts used at cost of $1,978 Total cost for Option 2: $11,819.64

Difference in price visually shows why
Option 1 remains a preferred choice

$6,698 vs. $11,819.64
Limitations in Option 1 must be solved
before it can be considered valid, however
Fundraising
Chapter cannot pay for this project from
dues, shirt sales, and dinners Will seek to partner with JSC, contractors, and solar power companies in hopes of equipment donations Will pursue grants and contracts from foundations, government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, etc.
Fundraising
Need chapter members to join Finance
Zone to help Marlo in this area Need new members from business directorates within JSC and contractors, especially B, H, and L mail codes
Engineering Roadmap
This paper is only a first step, not a
complete analysis Need for additional studies - engineering work continues

Deepen understanding of solar power systems Resolve outstanding technical issues Generate
Finalized specifications Safety reviews Implementation procedures
Engineering Roadmap
Need for electrical engineers in the chapter
to step up and get involved New members especially needed from DF7, DT4, EC, EP, and JA13 Room for other chapter members engineers and non-engineers to contribute
Engineering Roadmap
Paper studies likely to continue through fall and into early spring
Build hardware experience prior to assembling
air conditioner units

Conduct series of smaller, less expensive solar projects (e.g. solar fans, other low wattage devices) Side benefit: many of these may have outreach uses
Goal: first operational unit completed in time for summer 2004

Candidate Selection
No mechanism in place yet to select
recipients must be accomplished prior to first delivery Churches, United Way, etc. work routinely with the types of elderly we wish to serve Coordinating with such organizations will help us to identify responsible elderly with genuine need
Conclusion
We cant help everyone suffering in Houston
We will make a difference We will pioneer a roadmap other organizations
can follow Enhance image of NASA, NSBE, contractors, partners Gain sense of satisfaction we will have used our skills to change the lives of people
Questions?

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Solar Powered Air Conditioning for Elderly, Low Income Houstonians

Brief Survey of Solar Electric Power

functioning Photovoltaic Panel

Brief Survey of Solar Electric Power

Brief Survey of Solar Electric Power

Brief Survey of Solar Electric Power

Overview of Mars Testbed Solar Recharge Station

Overview of Mars Testbed Solar Recharge Station

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

Overview of Mars Testbed Solar Recharge Station

Solar Powered Air Conditioning System

Continuously operating system (requires batteries)

Solar Powered Air Conditioning System

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

Solar Powered Air Conditioning System

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

Preliminary System Sizing

Preliminary System Sizing

sized For simplicity, continuous system assumes:

Overcast conditions not modeled in this

Preliminary System Sizing

Preliminary System Sizing Option 1 (Daytime-only)

Preliminary System Sizing Option 1 (Daytime-only)

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

Preliminary System Sizing Option 1 (Daytime-only)

Preliminary System Sizing Option 2 (Continuous Operation)

Preliminary System Sizing Option 2 (Continuous Operation)

Preliminary System Sizing

Option 1 remains a preferred choice

Limitations in Option 1 must be solved

before it can be considered valid, however

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

complete analysis Need for additional studies - engineering work continues

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

air conditioner units

Goal: first operational unit completed in time for summer 2004

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

August, 2003 Chapter Technology Seminar

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