As fossil fuel resources continuously deplete and exacerbate the environment, alternative modes of energy are be-coming increasingly necessary. As the most abundant renewable resource, solar has the capability to harness the sun’s energy into a variety of uses, such as heating water and generating electricity. All of the Five-College cam-puses have already implemented solar energy except Mount Holyoke. A proposed solar system for the roof of Ken-dall Gym has a total size of 627.2 kW DC generating 749,613 kWh AC annually, an output which the College can utilize fully. Mount Holyoke College will thus save over $86,000 in utility costs in Year 1 and offset over 955,000 lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions annually.1 This factsheet introduces the potential of solar energy, the technology, as well as how it is conducive to saving funds on energy usage as electricity costs rise.

Solar Resource and Potential • If one lane of every highway in the U.S.

were covered in solar cells, it would gener-ate enough electricity to meet the U.S.’s daily energy needs.3 (CF)

• Almost every region in the United States has sufficient solar resources for photovol-taic (PV) systems. On partly cloudy days, PV systems produce up to 80% of their potential electrical capacity, and on very overcast days, they can still produce about 25%.7 (CF)

• Average pay-back time for solar is about 5 years. In western Massachusetts (MA), the range varies from 3 to 7 years.5 (KH)

Photovoltaic Technology

• Solar energy does not generate greenhouse gases or other pollu-tants. Each kilowatt of PV-produced electricity annually offsets up to 217,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide, 1,500 lbs. of sulfur dioxide, and 830 lbs. of nitrogen oxides.10 (CF)

• The time required for the system to displace as much fossil en-ergy as was required to manufacture it ranges from 1 to 4 years. As most solar systems have life expectancies of 30 years, 87% to 97% of the electricity they generate is effectively emissions-free.10 (CF)

• Thin film solar cells are only a few micrometers thick, and because of their flexibility, they can be used as rooftop shingles or glazing for skylights.8,9 (MW)

• Individual PV cells are connected to form modules or panels which can be connected to form larger arrays.10 (MW)

• Solar PV cells directly absorbs solar photons—particles of light that act as individual units of energy—to convert solar energy into useful energy forms.3 (See figure to the right) (MY)

PHYS 104 Mount Holyoke College

Factsheets Solar Energy

Massachusetts “Grade” for Solar Energy Policy and Incentives: A.2 (MY)

Electricity generation from PV cells.12 (MY)

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Melody Yin, Caitlin Farnan, Katherine He, Michelle Wellman April 19, 2017

Financing Solar at Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, MA) • Electricity rates in MA have been rising steadily at a rate of about 3-5% per year. Meanwhile, the cost of so-

lar PV has been steadily declining.4 (KH) • The average MA household paying $100 a month for electricity can save an estimated $35,900 over the next

20 years — almost $1,800 a year — by purchas-ing and installing a rooftop solar system.6 MHC consumes so much electricity as a college, the potential for great savings will be significant.1 (KH)

• To power MHC, we would need 11 MW of solar panels, costing $14.5 million. Today, we spend $2-3 million/year on energy. In 10-20 years, sav-ings would be $6 million/year.14 (MY)

• Under South Hadley Electric Light Department (SHELD) regulations, MHC encounters financing constraints with net metering, purchasing, solar rebates, and MA renewable energy credits.1 (MY)

Recommendations

• At MHC, the roof of Kendall Gym and Field House has the most potential for PV system (pictured at the right).1 Other areas are com-patible with solar such as the Equestrian Center, Facilities Management, and Gorse parking lot. (MY)

• Possible solutions for financing constraints is to request alumnae donations of the PV sys-tem or student/faculty initiatives such as fundraising. (MY)

• Transitioning from dependence on fossil fuels to renewables is necessary to prevent catastrophic damages to the planet. As a trailblazer in so many fields, Mount Holyoke College must commit to clean energy be-cause its influence will encourage others to make a change for our planet as well. (MW)

1 Solar Voltaic Study. South Hadley, MA: VanZelm Engineers, 2016. Web File. Mount Holyoke College. 2 "Massachusetts Solar Power for Your House - Rebates, Tax Credits, Savings." Solar Power Rocks. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 3 "Solar Photovoltaic Technologies." Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 4 Solar, Boston. Boston Solar. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 5 EnergySage. "Are Solar Panels Worth It in Massachusetts?" EnergySage. N.p., 04 Nov. 2016. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 6 Energysage, Energysage, April 3rd, 2016. “Compare solar panel prices in Massachusetts: How to get the best deal”. N.p, n.d., web, April 3rd, 2016. 7 Jon Gorey, Real Estate, “Are solar panels worth it?” N.p, n.d, web, Feburary 17th, 2017. 8 "Solar Photovoltaic System Design Basics." Energy.gov. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 9 "Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics." Solar Photovoltaic Technology Basics | NREL. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 10 "Solar Photovoltaic Technologies." MIT Energy Initiative. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 12 Solar Photo Voltaic | LightRIDS-Nepal. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 13 Newsham, Jack. "National Grid Projects a 37% Increase for Winter Electricity Rates." BostonGlobe.com. N.p., 25 Sept. 2014. Web. 17 Apr. 2017. 14 Arango, Alexi. "Solar Factsheet Feedback." Message to the author. 21 Apr. 2017. E-mail.

Above: Predicted rise in cost of electricity in MA.12 (KH)