Overview of Final Project (SEC598 S’16)

Basic Idea The project is a concluding exercise for this course, in place of a final exam o Team Environment o Topic of your choosing, but related to Solar Commercialization o Written report o Poster Session 2

Value to participants The main purpose of a final project is to allow you, the course participants, to apply the material you have learned in this course in a realistic and practical manner. You will get an opportunity to work in a small team environment (teams of two), to define and explore a solar commercialization topic of interest to you, and to present your research/results to your classmates and the instructors 3

Choice of Project Topic It may be a substantially technical report: Failure mechanisms in PV modules Strategies for PV system salvaging Reliability of tracking systems for CSP use Strategies to reduce BOS costs Development of Energy Management tools Comparison of silicon vs non-silicon module systems 4

Choice of Project Topic It may be a substantially economic (or business) report: Life cycle cost analysis of residential, or commercial, or utility scale solar projects Starting up a solar module assembly plant Starting up a PV system salvage operation How the PV Enterprise would be affected with the elimination of Tax Credits Comparison of solar energy funding models Comparison of PV deployment in states with PACE legislation vs those without 5

Choice of Project Topic It may be essentially a policy report: Strategies to bring the “Million PV Rooftop” enterprise to all states Evaluation of impact of federal and/or state incentives Comparison of solar energy funding models Evaluation of obstacles to the expansion of solar energy in Arizona, or the US 6

Choice of Project Topic It may be connected to another project If you are a PSM-SEEC student, you may use this project as an adjunct to your required Applied Project If you are thinking of starting your own company, perhaps you can connect this to an entrepreneurial effort like the Edson Initiative If you work for a Solar Company, the project could be an extension of a work project – assuming all the appropriate permissions can be worked out 7

Project Deliverables Team formation – Dr. Trimble and I would like to receive a brief notice ( ) telling us the team composition and project topic. Due, March 30, 2016 Progress –We would like to receive a brief progress report. Let us know about advances, changes, obstacles, whatever. Due, April 12, 2016 Final Report – This must be a professional document describing the project, its motivation, its development, with analysis, conclusions, references, etc. A format guide will be made availiable. Due, May 3, 2016 Poster – On final exam day, we celebrate your hard work with a poster session in the classroom, where you present your results, examine your classmates’ projects, etc. May 3,