Sussex Central Middle School - Millsboro, Delaware
Green Plains Energy, Inc.,
in cooperation with the State of Delaware, installed
a 600-watt grid-connected photovoltaic system on the grounds of the Sussex
Central Middle School in Millsboro, Delaware in June, 2002. Equipment and materials
includes:
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- Xantrex ST-1500 with built in
PVGFCI
- Xantrex STRS rain cover
- AstroPower modules rack
- AstroPower interconnects
- Combiner box and fuses
- Conduit, Sealtight, wire,
fittings, hardware
- Electrical Inspection
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The photos below walk you through the
installation progress, through completion. Click on any photo to view a
larger version. The success of this project was sealed by
two very significant background pieces, the equipment and the opportunity.
Green Plains Energy, Inc. seized upon these pieces and carried the project
through to fruition.
(Click on any photo for larger view)
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(Click on any photo for larger view)
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The Equipment
In July 1998, the State of Delaware's
Division of Facilities Management installed a 750-watt stand-alone
photovoltaic system at the Fenwick Lighthouse. This system, consisting of
10-75 watt AstroPower APO-7105 modules and 2 Morning Star, ProStar PV
charge controllers was installed to provide remote area lighting on the
lighthouse grounds. In May, 1999, it was determined that due to the
historical nature of the lighthouse a photovoltaic system was not
appropriate on this site. Shortly thereafter, the system was
decommissioned and placed in storage.
The Opportunity
The Electric Utility Restructuring Act of 1999, created the Environmental
Incentive Fund to encourage the use of energy efficiency and
renewable energy technologies. As part of the Environmental Incentive
Fund, the Delaware Economic Development Office conducted a survey of
school district facility managers to determine the feasibly of installing
photovoltaic systems on state school buildings. The survey concluded that
a significant number of Delaware schools would be
interested in installing photovoltaic systems on their buildings. Of the
facility managers surveyed, Indian River School District had both roofing
repairs scheduled and enthusiastic faculty and staff.
Utilizing the stored equipment from the
decommissioned Fenwick Lighthouse project and the information obtained
from the survey of school district facility managers, the project spawned. The system:
- places back in service
valuable decommissioned solar energy equipment,
- provides students with
hands-on energy educational tools, and
- provides Sussex County
with a photovoltaic demonstration project.
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In addition to the above,
the system provides Sussex Central Middle School with a new educational
resource and enough electricity to operate one and one-half computers,
eight hours per day (or generate approximately 3.4 kWh per day).
The Sussex Central Middle
School, committed to showing students the energy sources of the future, is
excited about demonstrating alternatives to the current methods of energy
production. The solar panels will give
students a chance to see that solar energy is a reality. The science
department will utilize the photovoltaic system's data in daily energy
education projects. Technical Education
Teacher at Sussex Central Middle School, Daniel Hoffman sees this
system as an educational tool to:
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Further develop student
knowledge of energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy,
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Utilize the system's
energy data to enhance math and science skills, and
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Facilitate student
understanding of the social impacts of energy production.
Having such a system
available in Sussex County for people to see should help heighten
awareness of the availability of an renewable energy systems. The photovoltaic
system will be visible by the community from the main road.
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(Click on photo for larger view)
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Project Team
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