Archive for the 'Alaska' Category

Solar Schools in Fairbanks Alaska

Monday, November 17th, 2014

There are technically three solar schools in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Two of them are solar electricity and the third is a solar thermal installation on the Weller School.  Larry Morris is the primary contact for the school district.  Larry is the head of the FNSBSD’s “solar school team” and a member of Facilities Management.

For the solar electricity projects the most recent installation is a 5.44 kW on the District facilities’ building on Minnie Street.  This is building where Larry Morris’ office is located.

What is different about the 5 kW PV project is the fact that the thin film panels are installed vertically due to the latitude of Fairbanks.  The angle of the sun makes the vertical installation attractive to the district because they have so many south facing walls.  According to Larry, “we are testing this thin film vertical type installation to see how it works for us.  If it successful, we will consider doing more of them in the future.”

Installing Solar Panels

Solar Panels

 

The panels are manufactured by United Solar Ovonic LLC based in Rochester Hills, Michigan.  A & A Roofing Co., of Fairbanks did the design and installation.

Here is a link to the data for the 5 kW installation

There is also a 1 kW on the 2 Rivers School.