Drake University will be installing solar panels on the Roger Knapp Tennis Center in the near future. This is Drake’s first solar project, and with the previous project of LED lighting retrofits installed in the building, this will become the University’s first Net-Zero building on campus. The project is scheduled to start on May 20 with completion set for Aug. 15.

Achieving a high renewable energy source is particularly important for Drake University. Drake has a strong commitment to sustainability and lowering its carbon footprint. Solar power is arguably the cleanest, most reliable form of renewable energy available, and it can be used in several forms to help power facilities. Solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the sun’s rays into electricity by exciting electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun. This electricity can then be used to supply renewable energy to the Tennis Center.

The solar panels will be installed on the south roofline, on the west end of the building. An ideal site will have no shade on the panels, especially during the prime sunlight hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A south-facing installation will usually provide the optimum potential for your system, but other orientations may provide sufficient production. Trees or other factors that cause shading during the day will cause significant decreases to power production. The importance of shading and efficiency cannot be overstated. In a solar panel, if even just one of its 36 cells is shaded, more than half will reduce power production.

Not every roof has the correct orientation or angle of inclination to take advantage of the sun’s energy. Some systems are designed with pivoting panels that track the sun in its journey across the sky. Non-tracking PV systems should be inclined at an angle equal to the site’s latitude to absorb the maximum amount of energy year-round. Alternate orientations and/or inclinations may be used to optimize energy production for particular times of day or for specific seasons of the year.

The solar system will generate significant environmental benefits.  The benefits come primarily from avoided power plant emissions.  The solar system will reduce greenhouse gas emission by 2695 metric tons of CO2 over 25 years. The 2695 tons of CO2 is equivalent to:

• 69,103 trees planted and grown for ten years
• 6,267 barrels of oil consumed
• 2,894,737 pounds of coal burned
• 6,416,667 miles driven in passenger car

This project was made possible through a gift from John Lorentzen and Penny Fillmor.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jolene Schmidt at jolene.schmidt@drake.edu.

Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning & Management