1. Tonto Creek Solar Installation Adventure March 5th – 12th
QESST Scholars
02/07/17

2. Previously on QESST… Inventory from past projects at MTW (ASU)
What do we have and what can we do with it?
Connect to the grid, or for use with batteries?
Concerns about time (permit, equipment,…)
Solar In Your Community challenge (March 17th)
What do we need to participate?
Sponsorship and fundraising
Where can we get the money from?

3. Inventory
Panels – (2) 96-cell panels at MTW. (Infinite) 60-cell panels can be obtained from Prof. Mani at ASU Polytech campus
Charge Controller – (2) Pulse-width modulation charge controllers at ASU; the larger one may have some water damage that needs to be checked
Small Charge Controller:
Max. PV Input Voltage: 25 VDC
Large Charge Controller:
Ratings to 60A at 48VDC (arrays till 4kW)

4. Inventory
Batteries – Pb-acid car battery (12V), and another LiFePO4 (24V, 10A; checking if ~2000 Wh) battery.
Pb-acid car battery
LiFePO4 (24V, 10A; checking)

5. Inventory Inverter– – 600 W inverter available
Inverter - DC input range: VDC

6. So, what can we do with this?… …probably, a small battery system.

7. PV-Battery System

8. Concerns
Is it worth to install a battery system at Tonto? Or should we go for grid-tied?
Could this system power any of the camp sites?
Can we get the project ready by March 5th?
Idea…

9. Mobile PV Station Demo (w/Battery)
Build a mobile standalone unit during spring break that can power several items, e.g., laptop, USB chargers, a cooler (handout cold drinks at outreach events) or TV. Useful for outreach events at QESST.
Work out kinks and issues without having to travel back & forth to Tonto
Test a data logger on the demo system to collect real-time data
Show the model to NSF during Site Visit
Plan for Tonto installation over summer – go for a grid-tied system

10. Mobile PV Station Demo

11. What do we need for spring break?
Panels
- From Dr. Mani at ASU
Batteries
From MTW or buy cheap ones
IGERT program connection with Tesla. Get a Powerwall donation
Controller
- From MTW
Data Logger
- Buy one
Mountable support structure
- Aluminum structure
Appliances
- Tiffany Rowlands from outreach events.

12. Spring Break Project Tasks (at ASU)
Get panels and information from Dr. Mani
Figure out if we can use those batteries with 60 cell panels. If not, find the cost for new batteries
Contact IGERT to ask for a Tesla Powerwall donation
Figure out if we can use the controller with 60 cell panels. If not, find the cost for new controller
Find the cost for a data logger that works with our system
Mobile metal structure for 2-3 solar panels
Contact Tiffany to obtain appliances. Could we get a camping fridge/TV/DVD player for free/donated?
Safety Instructions presentation/brochure for system installation
Funding opportunities: QESST, crowdfunding, local company partnership, system component donations, Student groups, Alumni, etc.

13. Summer Project in Tonto Creek Camp
Visit Tonto Creek Camp to understand the power needed on each site
Permit requirements research for solar installation in Tonto Creek Camp
Funding opportunities: QESST, crowdfunding, Tonto Creek Camp, local company partnership, system component donations, Alumni, etc.
- To fly in QESST students for summer
- To buy parts needed in the system

14. Who wants to be a Solar Hero!?