Dual-Use Solar Panels

[greencat]

Solar power is not a cheap source of energy, so an educator-turned-entrepreneur wants solar panels to take on double duty to make this renewable source of energy more cost-effective.



And he is trying out the idea at Drury University.

Art Boyt, a former professor at Crowder College in Neosho, and his team came up with a patent-pending design to turn sunlight into electricity and heat, simultaneously. Conventional modules either work as thermal collectors or electricity converters.

"There will be twice as much energy," said Boyt of the hybrid design. He added the new technology can cut, by up to one-half, the time it takes to pay off the initial cost.

The application was installed this week at Drury University , making the college the first in the country to have a solar power system that can light bathroom bulbs and heat water for a hot shower at the same time, Boyt said.

"There will be 2,100 watts for electricity and an additional 2,100 watts to heat water," said Boyt, now the chief technology officer of SolSource Teknologi in Springfield.

On Monday, under the warm late-morning sun, Boyt and business partner Dennis Kapp wielded drills and installed panels on the flat rooftop of Smith Hall, a residence hall at Drury.

With its peak capability of 4,200 watts, the system is expected to save 200 kilowatt-hours in electricity and 200 kilowatt-hours' equivalent in heating gas in an average month, Boyt said.

"That means Drury will get a smaller electricity bill and a smaller gas bill," Boyt said.

Data on electricity and gas usage at Smith Hall were not immediately available Monday.

Drury, which has made sustainability a priority, has set aside money each year for the initiative -- which covers alternative energy sources. Boyt's company is installing the system at cost, or about $27,000.

"As we maintain our commitment to sustainability, installing cutting-edge technologies in renewable energy will reduce our carbon footprint while educating our students about environmental solutions," said Wendy Anderson, director of campus sustainability, in a written release.

The partnership is designed to be mutually beneficial: Drury saves on utility bills and reduces carbon emission, and SolSource gathers data for the product it wants to sell to more clients.

SolSource plans to mass-produce -- and may patent -- the thermal panels for the hybrid system, Boyt said.

The production will be located here with a local work force, said Vickie Boyt, wife of Art Boyt and a partner in SolSource.

At Drury, Anderson said the university will further expand its efforts on sustainability.

A student-approved sustainability fee will generate $30,000 a year, in addition to $20,000 in direct college appropriation, Anderson said.

The university also plans to raise money for the cause and eventually have an endowment fund for it, Anderson said.

[myocardia]

You forgot the link to this story, greencat. It's right here for anyone wanting to read the whole story. This is one of the most exciting things I've heard about in quite some time, on the solar front.

[Drei]

Solar energy trapped in solar panels is a great way of having a renewable-energy source. Everyone knows its usage and contributions in one’s users. And by simply installing this, you can help our Mother Earth, and people are not aware of this fact.

[tsmg143]

Originally Posted by Drei

Solar energy trapped in solar panels is a great way of having a renewable-energy source. Everyone knows its usage and contributions in one’s users. And by simply installing this, you can help our Mother Earth, and people are not aware of this fact.

I agree with you solar energy is the cheapest source of energy,and the electricity produce by solar panel does not emitted any carbon footprints and save planet.

[Benedict]

Solar panels are extremely reliable. There are no moving parts so you don't have to worry about replacing anything. In fact, most people generate electricity for 1000s of hours with little or no maintenance.