Photovoltaic (Solar) Panels
Massey Leisure Centre and Library have 96 photovoltaic (solar) panels installed on the roof to turn sunlight into electricity to help power the site.
Introduction
Massey Leisure Centre and Library
was built in two stages using sustainable building principles. The second stage was the library and it was always intended to provide some photovoltaic cells to enable it to generate some electricity. This would either help run the library and when the library did not need the power, it could be fed into the national electricity supply for others to use.
United Network Shareholders Society provided funding for the panels to be incorporated into an educational project designed to show students how sunlight can used for renewable energy generation.
Information generated by the system and pictures from a sky-cam (video on the roof monitoring weather conditions) is available through an electronic display unit installed inside Massey Library.
This will enable the public, residents, students, renewable energy enthusiasts and researchers to access information for study or general interest purposes.
Access to the on-line information from the photovoltaic system will be available shortly.
System Description
The system consists of ninety-six BP585 panels from BP Solar that convert solar energy into electricity. The estimated output is 8.16 kilo watts and will peak at around 9 kilo watts in high solar and low temperature conditions.
The output of the system is estimated to be 10,950 kilo watt hours per year, an average of 30 kilo watt hours per day.
The system will be net metered, enabling the electricity generated be used on-site first and for excess electricity to be fed back onto the national grid.
Technical information
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Who Was Involved?
Strategic Context
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority released the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy in September 2001. The direction of the strategy focuses on improving energy efficiency and a progressive transition to renewable sources of energy. The strategy clearly defines a target to increase renewable energy supply for consumer energy requirements by 2012.
Energy efficiency, renewable energy and reducing the resulting carbon dioxide impacts on climate change are an integral part of Waitakere City's Eco-City philosophy. Sustainable Energy and Clean Air objectives have been incorporated into the
Long Term Council Community Plan
(Sustainable Energy and Air).
Links
For more information about renewable energy or photovoltaic systems click below:
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