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Tennessee Conservor |
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Late Fall 2002 |
Tennessee Solar Energy Association
MTSU Box 57
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Message From the President—
Welcome to the fall edition of the TSEA newsletter. We have enjoyed the TSEA activities so far this year and we are looking toward further growth as a group and individually. I would like to recap some of the solar activities in the state this year and challenge us for the future.
I hope you did not miss the summer meeting at the Sequatchie Valley Institute. We toured their many buildings where we saw passive solar houses, photovoltaic power systems, permaculture (permanent agriculture) gardening, ecological forestry practices, and had an organically grown lunch. You can visit their web site at http://www.svionline.org/ and catch up on their activities.
Several members also had a booth in cooperation with ASES this fall at the Nashville Grand Ole Opera and attended a free concert where Bonnie Rate and Lyle Lovitt had a concert for the environment.
This fall we had a meeting featuring designing your own portable power supply. This neat project familiarizes us with ways to make use of solar panels in conjunction with real practical remote power needs. We saw several examples from members past and present of systems that work. We also calculated what we needed for our own system.
Also, this fall, at least three groups, the Sequatchie Valley Institute as mentioned above, the TVA Green Power Switch (web address http://www.tva.gov/greenpowerswitch/index.htm) , and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Education Fund (web site www.cleanenergy.org ) sponsored the ASES Solar homes Tour. We thank them and others for continuing their support of solar education and networking
During the fall meeting, we also saw the need to enhance our knowledge of our association’s history. Following the fall meeting, we had an executive committee meeting where we relocated and discussed the association by-laws, officer duties, and needs for our facility and membership. We are now planning better organization and individual responsibilities of our association members and officers.
In planning for the future, money helps make things happen. In order to take on more activities and continue postal delivery of meeting notices, we need to pay our dues. We had a paperwork problem associated with the varying individual dues renewal cycles, so we had suspended the dues collections until all members who pay dues directly to the TSEA ran out, and we could synchronize the dues cycles. We thank those who have continued to renew their TSEA memberships through their ASES memberships during this period. For those who do not pay their membership through ASES, it is now time to renew.
Our dues for those who send their dues directly with TSEA will run from October 1st to September 30th each year to keep down our administrative burdens. New or renewal member applications are on our web site at http://www.mtsu.edu/~cee/tsea_application.htm .
Our association has a lot of things to see and do. We will continue on developing portable power supplies. We have the TSEA solar demonstration area which houses our equipment. We would like to develop an equipment plan. We need to paint the site, do a spring cleaning, and install a sign and banner for the TSEA. We want to sponsor more educational activities and outreach programs. We want build some personal solar cookers. And we want to communicate what we are finding out from each other. You are our best source of learning, networking, and information. There is a lot going on in solar today. Participate with us as a TSEA member through the 2002-2003 year. I hope you will renew your membership and come to our Spring meeting, date to be announced later. — Sam DeLay
Contact Sam at Sjdelay@cs.com
TDEC Energy Workshop Includes Solar
The Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development-Energy Division is pleased to announce a three day Energy Update workshop focusing on Residential, Commercial, and Solar Technologies. Days 1 and 2, Energy Code and Beyond, focus on the practical aspects of energy-efficient construction that can increase the marketability of the buildings. From the foundation to the roof, you will learn how the building works as system, how to meet state and national energy codes, and how to make a building efficient while maintaining healthy indoor air quality. These workshops will feature results of recent studies on preventing mold, whether to ventilate crawlspaces, green building technologies, and field testing of new buildings.Day 3, Solar Energy for the Future, examines the various solar technologies that can be integrated into a building to both conserve and produce energy. Topics to be covered include:
- Energy provisions of the Tennessee Building Code, the ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Code, and the 2001 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). State-of-the-art energy-efficient technologies for the building envelope
- Preventing mold problems in today’s buildings
- Solar water heating and space heating
- Passive solar design and daylighting
- Indoor air quality and ventilation systems
- Code-compliant, high-performance heating and cooling systems
- Photovoltaics & balance of system
- Wind power and small scale hydro power
- Recent research on crawlspace ventilation
Memphis Dec. 17-19, 2002
Knoxville Jan. 21-23, 2003
Day 1 and 2: Residential and Commercial Buildings
Energy Code and BeyondDay 3: Solar Energy Solar Energy for the Future
Registration is $60 per day.
The wide-ranging program features presenters from the Southface Energy Institute, a nationally recognized organization with a 24-year history of providing objective, entertaining training sessions on how to build better buildings.For information or to register, contact: Southface Energy Institute P.O. Box 348 Boone, NC 28607 Tel: 828-265-4888; Fax: 828-264-2333 E-Mail: southface@boone.net Sponsored by Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development-Energy Division, in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley AuthorityAbout TSEA—
The Tennessee Solar Energy Association (TSEA) is a nonprofit organization originally incorporated in the state of Tennessee at Middle Tennessee State University in 1977. After operating very successfully until the mid 1980's it went into a state of dormancy when interest in solar energy waned. Late in 1996 a small group of solar enthusiasts met and decided to reactivate the organization. Due to the period of inactivity it was necessary to reapply for a state charter and IRS rating as a 501 (c3) non profit organization. In early 1997 a new state charter, sales tax exemption, IRS 501 (c3) rating and affiliation with the American Solar Energy Association were established.
Membership in the TSEA can provide an avenue for persons who have the desire to actively participate in the progress of solar technologies, It is also an excellent opportunity for persons or organizations who are unable to become so involved but wish to support such efforts and stay in communication with others of like interest.
Current activities of the organization consist of the following:
1. Two annual general membership meetings with programs involving solar energy equipment or technology.
2. Newsletters
3. Support of teams participating in the Solar BikeRayce events that are held on an annual basis.
4. Educational programs for middle and high school classes.
5. Working with Middle Tennessee State University to develop a Solar Energy Demonstration Area which to be used by MTSU solar students and local contractors as a display of new solar products.
Solar help is available to all persons interested in getting assistance on a specific solar energy project. The following listed TSEA members have volunteered to provide suggestions on specific solar energy applications:
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GENERAL SOLAR and MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION |
Sam DeLay |
423-903-5606 |
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PASSIVE SOLAR BUILDINGS |
Jerry Smith |
615-273-2399 |
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ENERGY CONSERVATION |
Kathy Mathis |
615-273-2330 |
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SOLAR WATER HEATERS |
Bob Bates |
931-393-3836 |
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PHOTOVOLTAICS |
Jerry Smith |
615-273-2399 |
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SOLAR ENERGY DEMONSTRATION AREA (SEDA) at MTSU |
Jerry Smith |
615-273-2399 |
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2002-2003 TSEA Board of Directors |
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President |
Sam Delay |
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Vice President |
Kathy Mathis |
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Secretary |
Linda Hardymon |
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Treasurer |
Jerry Smith |
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Member |
Ken Sergeant |
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Member |
Joyce Rouse |
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Membership Application and Dues
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Regular Member - $20.00 |
Institutional/corporate member - $50.00 |
Sustaining Member - $200.00 |
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Student/elderly/retired/low income/living lightly - $12.00 |
Supporting Member - $100.00 |
Life member - Inquire about rates |
November 2002—In recent months, two new 30-kW solar systems have been installed under the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA's) Green Power Switch program. One system is installed at the Florence Water Treatment Facility in Alabama and the other at the intramural fields at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. TVA has now installed 13 solar systems totaling 326 kW of capacity to serve the green pricing pro gram in which more than 5,900 residential customers and 280 business customers throughout the Tennessee Valley are currently participating. http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/gp_fed.html
TVA
’s Solar Power Generating Sites — Solar power is one of the cleanest sources of power available, but at the moment it’s also one of the most expensive. By including solar power in Green Power Switch, TVA both enhances the environment and promotes the increased use of this promising technology.TVA has established photovoltaic (PV) systems to generate solar power at the following sites:
These sites offer high visibility and good opportunities for public education. TVA plans to continue expanding the number of solar-generation sites. By stimulating public interest in and demand for solar power, TVA intends to encourage further technological development that could help bring the cost down over time.
For more information on the Green Power Switch solar generating system, including the amount of power currently being generated at each site, go to the web site mentioned below.
At the Cumberland Science Museum, TVA set up its first photovoltaic system to generate solar power in April 2000 at the Cumberland Science Museum in Nashville. The museum is located on Fort Negley Boulevard, off Interstate 65.
Because the Cumberland Science Museum attracts more than 235,000 visitors annually, it offers a good opportunity to stimulate public interest in and demand for solar power.
As the Green Power Switch program grows, TVA plans to install additional solar PV systems.
For information on the other sites mentioned, visit: http://www.tva.gov/greenpowerswitch/
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1.Cumberland Science Museum – Nashville, TN |
8.American Museum of Science & Energy – Oak Ridge, TN |
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2.Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, TN |
9.Lovers Lane Soccer Complex – Bowling Green, KY |
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3.Gibson County High School – Dyer, TN |
10.Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, TN |
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4.Ijams Nature Center – Knoxville, TN |
11.Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN |
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5.Cocke County High School – Newport, TN |
12.Florence Water Treatment Facility – Florence, AL |
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6.Duffield Primary School – Duffield, VA |
13.University of Mississippi – Oxford, MS |
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7.Sci-Quest – Huntsville, AL |
Cumberland Science Museum
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Fast Facts from the Cumberland Science Museum Nashville, TN |
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Solar energy received (average): |
3.6 kWh/m2/day |
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Electrical energy generated (daily total): |
85 kWh |
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Peak generating capacity: |
27 kWac (alternating current) |
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One kilowatt-hour (kWh) equals the amount of electricity needed to burn a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours. |
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Distributor: Nashville Electric Service |
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Other news of interest --
Tennessee the First Southeastern State to Buy Green Power NASHVILLE - The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy today praised the state of Tennessee's leadership in becoming the first southeastern state to purchase green power for state office buildings and the Governor's mansion. "Governor Sundquist's support for clean renewable energy is filling an important leadership role," said Dr. Stephen Smith, Executive Director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy "Many of our state's natural treasures, like our streams and mountains, are being adversely impacted air pollution and excessive water consumption. It only makes sense that the state government should support this important program to grow renewable energy like wind and solar power in our beautiful state. We are particularly pleased to see Tennessee's Governor's mansion become the first in the south to support Green Power."According to the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Energy Division, the state's green power purchase amounts to 720,000 kWh per year for which it will pay an additional $19,000 annually. The purchase is through the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Green Power Switch Program, which provides energy from wind, solar, and landfill gas. For more information about the green power purchase and TVA's Green Power Switch Program, see the press release issued by the Governor's Office on April 25, 2002 at: http://www.state.tn.us/governor/apr2002/greenpower.htm
From EREN NETWORK NEWS -- November 6, 2002 A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). http://www.eren.doe.gov/
First Phase of Five-Megawatt Arizona Solar Plant Dedicated—APS, Arizona's largest electric utility, dedicated the first phase of its Prescott Airport Solar Power Plant last week. The new solar facility is currently online with a capacity of 450 kilowatts, to be increased to 1.5 megawatts by March 2003. But within the next three to five years, the utility plans to expand the Prescott facility to 5 megawatts, which will place it among the largest in the world. See the October 30th press release on the APS Web site at: http://www.aps.com/general_info/newsrelease/default.html?year=2002 .
The City of San Diego, California, is also employing solar energy, having installed its first solar power system on the city's Environmental Services Operations Station building in October. The city claims the 65-kilowatt system will generate enough electricity annually to meet the building's electricity needs. See the city's press release, in PDF format only, at: http://www.sannet.gov/environmental-services/news .
China Buys Solar Cell Equipment Despite Industry Downturn—A growing interest in renewable energy in China has led a Chinese company to purchase a solar cell manufacturing line from GT Solar Technologies, a U.S. company. Baoding Yingli New Energy Resources Co., Ltd. of Baoding, China, ordered the cell fabrication equipment as a follow-up to its purchase of a silicon wafer manufacturing line earlier this year. The new equipment will allow the Chinese company to convert its silicon wafers into complete solar cells. Since GT Solar also sells equipment to turn those cells into complete solar modules, we might expect more news from the two companies in the future. See the GT Solar press release at: http://www.gtsolar.com .
Unfortunately, China may be bucking the trend: According to Shell Solar, the worldwide demand for solar cells is down this year. After four years of more than 30 percent annual growth, a drop in demand this year is causing a worldwide glut, says the company, which is now restructuring its operations. With global photovoltaic production now at 760 megawatts of peak capacity per year (up from 400 in 2001), Shell Solar says the industry is at overcapacity, which is leading the company to close two solar facilities and lay off about 250 staff.
Tennessee Coalitions Foster Alternative Fuels, Seek Clean Cities Designation—Two Tennessee cities are seeking designation from DOE as Clean Cities. The Energy Division of the Department of Economic and Community Development is initially funding the Clean Cities efforts. Through coordination and hard work, these programs hope to bring diverse parties together, foster cooperation, and create broad public awareness to build a sustainable alternative fuel market that will enhance energy security and air quality. Clean Cities of Middle Tennessee is based in Nashville, and the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition is located in Knoxville. These coalitions have recruited a large group of members from different organizations working on projects. Some of the most recent projects in Clean Cities of Middle Tennessee include: the partial conversion of the Nashville Electric Service fleet from diesel to biodiesel (B20) and the conversion of some Middle Tennessee State University's campus shuttles to alternative fuel.The East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition has worked with several entities to purchase alternative fuel vehicles. The Knoxville Area Transit has funding to purchase six 12-15 passenger dedicated propane vans. Sevier County is working on a Bus Rapid Transit System. The coalition is obtaining the necessary information for leasing a propane/gasoline bi-fuel Ford F-150 for use at the 2003 AFV Day Odyssey, and Earth Fest 2003. For more information, visit Clean Cities of Middle Tennessee at: http://www.tennesseecleanfuels.org and East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition at: http://eerc.ra.utk.edu/etcfc/index.html.
Newsletter information:
Phone: 615-904-8096 Fax: 615-904-8093
Email:
cee@mtsu.edu