 Owen's Field House, the small building located on the left of the scoreboard on ASU's football field, is the new proposed home for new solar panels. The panels would be in the shape of App State's famous big "A". Photo by Clarissa Gotsch | The Appalachian Over the past week, REI conducted a preliminary assessment to see roughly the amount of sun the solar panel would take in to be used as renewable energy, said Sean P. Hayes, chairman of REI and co-project manager.
REI assessed that the “A” panels would generate about 5,500 kilowatts of energy per year, or a 4.5-kilowatt array. Comparatively, the mountain-shaped solar panels found outside of Raley Hall currently produce a 4-kilowatt array, Hayes said.
Hayes said the “A” would be able to produce energy about 97 percent of the year.
He said the solar panel “A” will be located on top of Owens Field House, slightly to the right of the scoreboard.
REI hopes to build the “A” for about $40,000, but will speak with representatives from the department of design and construction about the project’s feasibility.
REI, which is a student-funded organization that generates about $150,000 from a $5 student fee every year, will have Appalachian students involved with the building process.
“The way we’re going to structure it is also going to deal with the [photovoltaic] classes, who will actually be helping with that installation,” said Katherine A. Lead, Grant Master for REI and co-project manager. “We hope it will be built by students. It’s a symbol that ties in Appalachian pride and renewable energy. It’s a very visible symbol for all the viewers on campus, and the ‘A’ is in a great location. With the solar analysis we conducted, the sun there is phenomenal. Ninety-seven percent sun energy and it’s very visible, even on national T.V.”
For more information about the solar “A” panel or about REI, go to rei.appstate.edu.
Story: FRANKIE HENDRIX, Intern News Reporter
Photo: CLARISSA GOTSCH, Intern Photographer |
