Graduate students help residents, earn solar certification

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —Students from Purdue University are getting in-the-field experience by helping local residents determine the potential of solar energy for their homes.

A group of undergraduate and graduate students are completing a solar certification program through the U.S. Department of Energy. To complete the certification, students are conducting on-site solar assessments for homeowners.

William Hutzel, a mechanical engineering technology professor at Purdue University, conducts research in high-performance buildings. The idea of solar energy, he says, continues to push into the Midwest.

"We'll see the situation slowly change in the coming years," he said. "The cost curve for solar energy is coming down one year after the next. We're not at a tipping point here in Indiana. Other states are a step ahead of us."

Solar energy use is promoted heavily in states along the East and West coasts. Minnesota instituted a number of programs that encourage residential and commercial consumers to move to solar electricity.

Money stands as both the pro and the con for using solar energy. Hutzel says federal incentives help homeowners while the savings from an array of rooftop solar panels potentially can cut customer energy from the local utility in half.

"Incentives play a huge role, but you're looking at $15,000-$18,000 comes out of your pocket after incentives," he said. "No one wants to make that investment unless it's a proven fact.

"Lacking either utility subsidies or state subsidies means it's still somewhat of an uphill battle."

Assessments conducted by the students include trusses in the home, if the solar panel array is intended for the roof, and electrical infrastructure. Shading also is considered to make sure a panel array is receiving direct sunlight at key times.

Power bills are also examined by students, as well as a few surprising aspects.

"You want to do the cheap things first," Hutzel said. "Students will look at the equipment and appliances in the home. If there's a 20-year-old refrigerator, it has to go first. You do the obvious things that reduce your electrical load, then provide solar."

Midwest Renewable Energy Association is providing the solar credentialing as a grass roots effort to get students involved in this. 

Writer: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu 

Source: Bill Hutzel, 765-494-7528, hutzelw@purdue.edu 

Note to Journalists: A Lafayette-area home will be open to media during a solar assessment. Address available upon request.