University of Hartford

On May 17, 2006 the University “threw the switch” to mark the beginning of the operation of a fixed array of photovoltaic panels on the roof of Lincoln Theater that uses solar power to generate nearly 10 percent of the building’s electrical power needs.

Sixty-three solar panels, laid out in three groups of 21 panels each, are on the roof of Lincoln Theater. Each 21-panel grouping is three panels deep by seven panels across.

Solar Energy Engineering and Technology
The second phase of the project involved the installation of an array of photovoltaic cells that tracks the sun as it crosses the sky each day. The tracking array is central to the development of solar-related course content with the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture.

Current course content on solar design engineering will be expanded using information from the array’s data acquisition system. This includes validation of different solar irradiation models for Connecticut, building a database on solar cell performance for Connecticut, and improvements in solar cell performance.

Solar Energy and Energy Education Hartford
Plans are to extend these educational benefits to include the University High School of Science and Engineering and to introduce younger students to the concept of using the sun for electrical generation. For example, middle school students may have the opportunity to visit the University and learn about photovoltaic power generation. In addition, workshops and seminars targeted to business and industry are planned and will aim to encourage the use of solar energy to offset fossil-based power purchases.