UAF Resource Assessment and Feasibility Study
Project Description: The ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ Facilities Services Department has asked ACEP
to conduct a resource assessment and feasibility study into putting a 1-MW solar array
on the hillside south of the Butrovich Building on campus.
The study is comprised of two parts--one is putting a meteorological tower that measures
solar irradiance on the hillside, and the other is studying the economics of active
versus passive snow removal from simulated solar panels. For the latter study, two
undergraduate students were recruited to time how long it would take to actively keep
the simulated solar panels free of snow. In return for their efforts, they are being
mentored through an independent course of study on different renewable energy technologies.
Project Update:
On Tuesday, January 28th Dr. Daisy Huang collected temperature data at the simulated
solar panel site located next the Butrovich building, noting that the panels had not
accumulated snow to date.
Project Lead: Dr. Daisy Huang, ACEP Faculty Reseacher
Project Funding: Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity (URSA)
Project Research Partners: ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ Facilities Services Department and URSA
Photo Caption: Daisy Huang collects thermal data on simulated solar panels adjacent
to the Butrovich Building at UAF.
Photo courtesy D. Huang, ACEP/UAF.