2010 Solar Tour

Photo Journal

Jeff Anderson – Reagan High School, MPS

Types of Solar Power Generation

within Milwaukee• I am aware of the Urban

Ecology Center and

their dedication to

achieving a zero carbon

footprint in part through

their rooftop solar array.

• Yet, as a high school

instructor in

Milwaukee, I’m also

aware that the only

daily connection with

solar energy for my

students may be…

Need for the 2010 Solar Tour

• This fall I was allowed to witness the extent of solar energy (and related energy) projects that were developing in Milwaukee.

• Just like the students – as an active participant I learned so much more.

• Additionally, as I constructed this photo journal, the thought of “why aren’t we doing more (including myself)” kept echoing in my mind.

Southside of Milwaukee – Bay

View Area

• A typical Southside

bungalow

• Front of house faces

west.

• Landscaped yard

Solar collectors to the South

• Dormer blocks sunlight but system still functions well.

• Window extension is not effected by snow sliding off in the winter – shielded by roof line.

Dormer Solar Panel

House silhouette

Panel thickness

• Solar installations appear to often be in connection with green mindsets.

– Natural landscaping.

– Reducing water runoff.

– Gardening.

• But this is not a requirement.

Increase solar capacity with a

garage array of solar panels.

Need to disconnect from the grid

during troubleshooting.

Additional mindset changes

• Use of off peak hour

energy with we

energies monitoring.

• Automatic set back

thermostats

• Maintaining records to

see the reduced

energy costs.

Automatic water timer

St. Lukes Area

• Rooftop solar

array with a

higher starting

point on the roof

(above gutter)

that compensates

for original dormer

position.

Existing Dormer

Lightening Discharge Units

Geothermal Heat Pump

On Demand Water Heater

Geothermal Well Landscaping

Well two

Business Use of SolarSolar water heating panels

Bakery

East side of bakery showing

new community landscaping

project

Solar panels for heating

bakery water. Needs

supplied for three seasons

and supplemented in the

winter.

Retrofitting of 100 year old

building was not a limiting

problem

Use of skylight to remove excess

heat.

Panels

Skylight

Second Speculation Home

Solar panels

Energy efficient windows

Window shading

Spiral Stairs serve as heat tube

Automatic controls

with setbacks

Efficient curtains

• Fans bring down heat

in the winter, forces

heat up and out in the

summer.

• Energy efficient lights.

Heat rises with fan

assist

Heat can be

forced down with

fan assist

Energy Efficient Windows

Additional Features

• Floor Radiant Heating

• Right Sizing of Home for Needs

• SIP – Structural Insulated Panels

• Concrete Countertops and Floors

• Fiber Cement Panels

• Energy Star Appliances

Additional Features

• Pervious pavement

• LEED Platinum Rating – Leadership in

Energy Efficient Design

• ERV – Energy Recovery Ventilator

• Urban location

• Steel Roofing

• NO/LOW VOC (volatile organic

compounds) paints and finishes

Eastside near UWMSolar panels

West

Back of

house

Solar panels

Low profile, inlet and outlet pipes

Church Rooftop Solar Array

Bracing used for the panels

Historical Considerations

Electrical Upgrades

Use of this lesson plan in class:

• I am in a situation where I am a mentor

teacher for four instructors (both math and

science) at Ronald Reagan HS – within

the MPS school system.

• My intention is to:

– In-service the instructors as to my solar tour

– Make the solar tour available for the

instructors

– Get actual bills from one of these installations

to allow a comparison basis for the students

of the instructors.

Use of this lesson plan in class:

• I will encourage the instructors and assist them

with:

– Having students figure out the cost savings after

installation costs for one or more green upgrades

presented in this power point.

– Studying graphs of current energy production, energy

use (daily), proposed future use, proposed changes in

the grid (recent National Geographic Article), and

current green incentives.

– Solar materials lab (absorption of heat), insulation lab,

window placement lab, or something of the instructors

choosing.