College of the Atlantic
IN-24: Innovation A

During the spring 2017 academic term, a tutorial class of seven College of the Atlantic students, led by Director of Energy Education and Management Anna Demeo, performed a comprehensive solar analysis followed by a solar installation at Skip's Automotive Services in Southwest Harbor, ME. This hands-on, project-based Tutorial in Renewable Energy gave students the opportunity to collaboratively plan for and oversee all aspects of a project in renewable energy. Led by Demeo, students learned how to take the project from design through fruition, while navigating the various phases of the project lifecycle, including operation and maintenance. Skip Wilson had participated with a COA energy class in the fall of 2012 after which he had a 4.8kw system installed. Wilson subsequently expanded his business to include a car wash, which increased his electricity consumption. In spring 2017, the Tutorial in Renewable Energy students analyzed the increased electricity load and performed a second solar analysis. They calculated the multiple roof-spaces, examined different locations and orientations for a second array, and eventually made recommendations for the business. These included positioning guidelines, options for array size and configuration, and in-depth financial analysis, including federal solar incentives and rapid depreciation strategies, ultimately estimating financial payback in about four years. The class installed the solar array under the guidance of instructor Anna Demeo, with the help of local energy experts Robert Parker and Sig Eschholz, and the grid connection was made by electrician Stephen Stanley. Between 2012 and May 2017, the first array produced 23.9mWh of electricity. Since going on-line in May 2017, the combined array has produced 24.7mWh of electricity. As a product of doing the work on Skip’s Auto, students learned not only how to analyze a site and install a renewable energy system, they also learned about the economics of renewable energy systems, including return on investment, internal rate of return, and related quantities. These students gained the skills necessary to conceptualize, plan for, finance, and implement renewable energy projects.