On-Site Energy Production

Spring 2008 UWM Solar Decathlon Carbon Neutral House Project- mixed UG/G comprehensive design studio (first semester)

On-Site Energy Production

Create adequate on-site energy to power all of the appliances, heating and cooling, and lighting systems for the UWM Solar Decathlon Carbon Neutral House Project.

• course and project outline

Use conceptual data for first pass information about energy demand and production capacity. Increase detail in the analysis by using accurate solar radiation data and array size and orientation.

Use Solar Advisor and other proprietary analysis software to insure greatest accuracy of evaluation of the energy production potential. Compare this to Energy Star data to determine array sizing.

Sun, Wind & Light has a variety of information available to make these predictions, as well as NREL, the Energy Information Administration, and DOE Energy Star.

The big picture calculations were expanded through the use of detailed TMY data analysis, the use of UWM Associate Professor Mike Utzinger’s BIPV analysis, and the development of detailed roof model studies in IES-VE.

We have also been using the NREL Solar Advisor tool, which has plug-in capacity with TRNSYS. These studies have used data from Solar PV manufacturers, TMY data, and numerous roof form model analysis.

Impact of the Sun
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Impact of the Sun
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Solar Profiles over the Year

PV Study for the Building