Solar Panel Independant Study

[lindpat]

I am a senior in high school and am working on an independant study to put solar panels on our green house to generate power for our school. We don't have a specific amount of energy we need to generate. We just want to generate the most energy we can while staying within the amount of money we were granted (I'm not sure about the exact amount of the grant). I live in Minnesota and have plenty of time to complete this project. What would be the best way to generate the most energy for the least amout of money?

Thanks for your time and help!

[Sunking]

That depends on what form of energy you want; heat or electricity?

Solar thermal for hot water is the most efficient and economical use. For electricity grid tied is the only way to go as battery systems have no carbon offset or any chance to every provide a return on investment. Being in Minnesota will present some real challenges with the Northern latitude little Solar Insolation during the winter months. As an example in MN you have to have roughly 3 times the system to produce the same amount of energy as say Tuscon AZ, thus three times the cost. Location is critical.

[russ]

@ lindpat

Welcome to Solar Panel Talk and good luck on your project!

You will find solar PV to be an expensive proposition I am afraid. One resource to get an idea of what is possible would be the Sharp USA PV calculator.

http://sharpusa.cleanpowerestimator.com/sharpusa.htm

Another would be PV Watts

http://www.pvwatts.org/

As Sunking pointed out, solar thermal might be a much better fit. You can make either hot water or warm air. Possibly an air heater would give the best bang for your buck at a school. Daytime use is your biggest demand.

Solar thermal panels - either hot water or air- could be made by the school shop as a project. Relatively easy to make and low cost.

http://www.builditsolar.com/

Russ

[MarineLiner]

... an independant study to put solar panels on our green house to generate power for our school.
... just want to generate the most energy we can while staying within the amount of money we were granted (I'm not sure about the exact amount of the grant).
... and have plenty of time ...
What would be the best way to generate the most energy ...

[lindpat]

Thank you for the suggestions. They help a ton!

[MarineLiner]