By Stefan Attanassov
MSU plans to build a scientific research facility powered only by alternative energy sources and students are going to be a big part of it.
Already, two solar panels are operating on campus, both installed by students as part of an engineering design course.
The campus solar panels will serve as a prototype for the Dalquest Research Site in the Big Bend region of south Texas near Marfa.
MSU, which owns the property, plans to construct a research station that runs solely on solar energy.
“We have a lot of sun energy in that region so we just have to start using it,” said Dr. Idir Azouz, project adviser and engineering professor at MSU.
Jim McCoy, a notable donor to the university, has provided $47,000 to fund the project.
To date, approximately $4,000 has been spent on the campus solar panels located between Daniel Building and McCoy School of Engineering.
Seniors Nick Moore, Aaron Smith, Tony Burson, Daru Anto and Phillip Ray constructed the devices as part of their Intro to Design course.
“The Dalquest Research Site has attracted scientific interest because of its biologically rich characteristics,” said Dr. Norman Horner, the Director of Natural Laboratories for the College of Science and Mathematics. “We had students from all over Texas, from New Mexico University and Yale University.”
Part of the preparation for the Dalquest project are the solar panels on campus. The panels cost about $250 each, BP Solar donated them to MSU.
The panels cover an area of approximately 15 sq. ft. They are connected to an underground water pump and produce roughly 1.7 kwh a day.
“That means we are saving a dollar every two or three days,” said Dr. Sheldon Wang, engineering professor at MSU. “But within a year, it will be about $200 saved from solar energy.”
The solar panel project took one year to finish and then another semester to move the construction from the Bridwell building to McCoy building.
“We had to both fit with the campus landscape and find a well-heated location,” Wang said. “We moved the construction for aesthetic reasons.”
The purpose of the solar panels was to gather information about the efficiency of the solar construction and its possible application at the Dalquest project.
“Based on the information we got, we determined the project is feasible and we plan to start fall 2013,” Wang said. “For now, we hope the solar panels on campus will inspire the students to learn more about the possibilities of alternative energy.”
MSU has plans on other alternative energy projects as well.
The school recently ordered “Labvolt” training equipment for $20,000, provided by state funding.
The equipment will educate MSU students about alternative power sources.
Another idea MSU is planning is the Green Roof project.
“This means growing plants on roof tops,” said Dr. Rebecca Dodge, associate professor of geosciences. “Because of their specific location, the plants will absorb the heat off the building and cut down on cooling energy.”
The Green Roof project is scheduled to start in the summer.
Dodge and MSU students will examine the insulation of the buildings on campus to pick the most suitable locations.
“The sun and the wind are the two most reliable alternative energy sources in Texas,” said Dodge. “MSU is preparing a wind turbine project as well.”
The wind turbine project is in the planning stage.
So far, there is no budget for the project.
Another idea is to use alternative energy for the Legacy Park.
The park was built by MSU students for the 75th anniversary of the school.
Now, the McCoy School of Engineering plans to install solar panels there.
They will provide decorative light for the park at night.
The parking lot in front of McCoy will also serve for an alternative energy project.
“The parking is a large wide-open area,” Wang said. “We want to build a solar-panel rooftop and use the sun energy.”
MSU has no budget for this project yet.
The professors from the Engineering School consider sponsoring it out of their own wallets, Wang said.
“For now, all these projects will serve mainly educational purposes,” Wang said. “ In the future we hope alternative energy will make up for a substantial amount of the energy at MSU.”