A Feasibility Report on Rooftop Photovoltaic Solar Arrays at the University of Mississippi

DeLee, Anne Marie (2016) A Feasibility Report on Rooftop Photovoltaic Solar Arrays at the University of Mississippi. Undergraduate thesis, under the direction of James Vaughan from Mechanical Engineering, The University of Mississippi.

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Abstract

The following project is a feasibility report for rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installations on select building across the University of Mississippi’s campus. The purpose of this report is to determine the value of the energy that a rooftop solar system is capable of producing and the effect this generated energy will have on the energy needs of the building. As an entity with a stated commitment to sustainability and good stewardship of its resources, the University of Mississippi is on its way to become the state’s leader in sustainability, boasting the state’s largest roof-mount solar system. The analysis utilizes data collected from that system, architectural footprints of additional buildings across campus, and an online photovoltaic energy system calculator to determine the size and potential generation of solar system. The potential generation of each building’s system was then analyzed based on economic parameters. From the results of the study, recommendations are given to the university on how to best pursue its goal of sustainability and responsible use of its resources. The results of this report emphasize that the current costs associated with rooftop solar systems make the projects undesirable and that energy efficiency building operation and reduced energy demand can be much more beneficial in terms of resource stewardship.

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