Monday, August 28, 2017

Rock Hill schools considering solar panel agreement with York Electric



ROCK HILL

A patch of land facing Main Street in Rock Hill could soon have a new purpose -- renewable energy.

The York Electric Cooperative has proposed a land-use agreement with the Rock Hill school district to host a community solar program site in the northeast corner of the Applied Technology Center, 2399 Main Street West, said Tony Cox, deputy superintendent for the district.

Cox said York Electric chose that site because it is close to customers who would tap into solar energy and ties into the energy curriculum at the Applied Technology Center.

“(The ATC) strives to provide the latest, state-of-the-art technology and career vocational training for our students,” Cox said.

A ‘Win-Win’

On Aug. 14, Cox and York Electric representatives brought the proposal to the Rock Hill school board. Cox told the board the agreement benefits both the school district and York Electric.

Applied Technology Center students would get hands-on experience from the panels in their front yard, Cox said, and the district would support sustainability and renewable energy.

Dan Blackburn, who teaches electricity at the technology center, said the panels will provide a unique opportunity for his estimated 120 students a year, along with others in the district. Blackburn said residents want to see students learning career-ready skills.

“One of the greatest places solar is growing is for our residences,” he said. “Right now, this is it for our area.”

If the project is passed, Blackburn said students would get to experience the installation and maintenance of a solar farm.

“I can’t tell you how exciting it would be to have a field trip in my front yard,” he said. “The students can learn what is involved in maintenance on a scale I would never be able to get them to understand based on what I can do in a classroom.”

Blackburn said the plan is for York Electric employees to come to classes as part of the deal. A formal agreement on that has not been written yet, Cox said.

Board member Terry Hutchinson said the panels represent the future in technology careers.

“This is 21st-century technology; it’s something our children today will get into,” he said. “We’re going to have career-ready students. We’re going to be producing them out of ATC.”

The proposed plan would include 627 panels, surrounded by six-foot security fencing and bushes, Cox said. The solar farm would sit back from the main road due to required easements. It would produce no lights or sounds.

Cox said the proposed agreement is a business venture with York Electric, who would pay the district rent to lease the land. York Electric is responsible for building and maintaining the solar panels (for example: SUNJACK 14W PORTABLE SOLAR CHARGER )and site, including the grass and fencing surrounding it.

The proposed agreement on the site, less than two acres, is for 25 years, with rent at $1,766 a year, Cox said. The rent, plus savings incurred for the grass maintenance of that area, would amount to about $64,000 over 25 years to the school district.

“We saw that as a fair amount and a good use of that property’s corner,” Cox said.
Concerns

Board chair Jim Vining said that is not enough money for the district.

“We would be better off selling that property on the market instead of tying it up for 25 years,” Vining said.

However, Cox said the savings on lawn maintenance and revenue from rental of that property is just part of the equation. As part of the deal with York Electric, he said the district has negotiated future installation of solar panels at Oakdale Elementary School.

Cox said the Oakdale deal would save the district on energy costs in the long-term. He said the proximity to the ATC also has to be considered.

“That to me has a tremendous value,” he said.

Board member Helena Miller said she too is concerned the length of the agreement is too long and may hinder future growth efforts.

For us as a district to move toward sustainability and to support those efforts in the community is phenomenal, but one thing about land is that they don’t make anymore of it,” she said. “If we sign this, we kind of don’t own it for 25 years.”

Cox said the panels are one of the best uses of that land the district could get.
Community Input

Cox said his team sent a survey over the summer to the district’s School Improvement Council members and community members near the proposed site. Cox said they got back eight responses, all of which supported the project. The district also received positive responses during an Aug. 3 community meeting, including from members of Epiphany Luteran Church across the street.

“A great deal of support has been expressed by the community for this installation,” Cox said.

However, Vining said the survey and the one meeting does not provide enough community feedback to move forward. He said a well-advertised community meeting should be scheduled before a decision is made.

“I’m not opposed to the panels, but I am opposed to rushing into a 25-year lease (without community input),” Vining said.

Howard Wright, who lives in Rawlinson Acres, a neighborhood 1.4 miles from the Applied Technology Center, said the school district should get more feedback from neighbors.

“I believe that the school board should hold a public meeting at the ATC and present the project to those who may have a concern,” he said. “This meeting could answer any questions or concerns a neighbor may have.”

A public meeting has not yet been set.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Bifacial solar panels: Breaking the barriers of module efficiency



As solar technology has improved over the last decade, the prices have dropped exponentially as module efficiency has advanced. In recent years, there’s been a growing concern that we are approaching an efficiency ceiling. People have come to wonder if future solar improvements will be through system solutions, such as coupling solar with storage, rather than through module technology innovation. But, a newer innovation is paving the way to the next generation of module technologies that will revolutionize solar efficiency for many applications. Today the best solar panel on market is RENOGY 250 WATT SOLAR PANEL
Bifacial solar modules have the capability to generate electricity by capturing light from both sides of the module. It does not take a big stretch of the imagination to understand that this type of technology can dramatically shake up the solar market. Bifacial modules produce more energy, and have a lower degradation rate than standard modules. When assessing the financial returns of projects over their life cycle, these modules promise significant LCOE savings.

Because bifacial modules can generate power from the front and back of the module, they require less labor costs and balance of system costs to produce the same amount of energy. They can also produce more energy from the same project footprint, with minimal additional installation costs. Bifacial modules offer substantial savings for solar project financers.

Bifacial models are equipped with better cell technology. By using monocrystalline silicon cells, these bifacial modules offer customers much better energy conversion rates than traditional, polycrystalline PV modules. With higher efficiency cells and dual-glass structure, comes a more durable, efficient system that can reduce project costs across the board and significantly increase equipment longevity. Bifacial modules on the market can produce up to 30% more electricity than an equivalent monofacial module in certain environments. And, because of the increased durability, these modules can be offered with an extended warranty of 30 years at just 0.5% annual degradation rate.

Trina Solar recently won its first order for bifacial modules, for a utility-scale project in Golmud, Qinghai, China. The sandy surface on which this project is situated reflects a lot of light, making it ideal for bifacial modules. The project uses a tracker system, maximizing energy capture. This represents the second-largest order of bifacial modules in the world to date.

Bifacial solar modules are a disruptor technology to be excited about. The versatility of these products will allow a diverse portfolio of customers to invest in solar because of the benefits bifacial modules can deliver. These modules work great for utility projects, rooftops and specialty installations, such as floating solar projects. So, the next time someone says there’s not much more room for efficiency improvements in the solar market – let them know a new chapter in solar has just begun.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Guest Post: Replacing or Repairing Concrete Sidewalks



We've all done it. Hurrying inside to an important meeting, or walking into a restaurant for dinner, it happens. You trip. Hopefully you only stumble a bit, feel foolish and then continue on with your day. Sometimes, it doesn't work out that way and you have injured more than your pride.

As a property manager or owner, the thought of a customer, tenant or visitor to your business getting hurt on your property probably makes you cringe a bit. And, it's most likely not just out of sympathy thinking of your fellow-man suffering an injury, but also out of fear of a possible lawsuit.

Keeping your concrete sidewalks and concrete curbs in good repair is a must for facility managers. Not only does it prevent these types of mishaps, but also it does wonders for the curb appeal of your building.

Access Your Property
Take a stroll around your facility right now to access the state of your sidewalks and curbs. Are they uneven, raised, cracked, or broken? If so, here's what a paving contractor can do to fix those issues:

Cracked or Uneven Concrete Sidewalks
Most people probably think an uneven sidewalk is a huge concrete sidewalk repair project, but it's not really that bad. Depending on the type of concrete sidewalk repair needed, complete replacement may be needed or a simple repair can be done.

Replacing Concrete
For a complete replacement, your paving contractor will use a masonry drill to break up the section of concrete sidewalk slab that is broken, sunken, raised, or uneven. He'll remove the crumbled concrete bits and then work to level the area.

A nearby tree may be the cause for the uneven concrete. Whatever the cause, after these issues are resolved, the paving company will most likely use a form to hold the new concrete into the desired shape of the new slab and then pump concrete into the area.

As a final touch, the still wet concrete section will be leveled with a trowel to ensure the connecting sections are flush. Once dry, the form will be removed and the sidewalk will be open again for foot traffic.

Repairing Concrete
If the concrete damage isn't excessive, a concrete repair can be made using a process called "mudjacking". To level a slab of concrete using this process, the paving contractor will bore holes into the slab and then pump a grout mixture into the holes to force the slab rise and level. This process can not only be completed in one day, but regular use of the concrete sidewalk can resume immediately after leveling with no drying time needed. Another benefit of this type of concrete sidewalk repair is that it can be done for a fraction of the cost of tearing out and replacing.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

HONEST HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

HONEST HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK


It couldn’t be easier to share holiday cheer while making a positive difference with these gifts that give back. The presents we found support or fund various social and charitable efforts, so your gift recipient not only gets a cool new item, but you both can feel good knowing your purchase also helped a worthy cause.



1. This gray chevron table runner from TOMS Marketplace benefits JOYN, an organization that provides medical care, employment, and educational opportunities to artisans in the Himalayas.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

30 Secret Santa Gift Ideas Your Coworkers Will Love


30 Secret Santa Gift Ideas Your Coworkers Will Love

They see you when you're slacking. They know when you come in late. They know if you've been bad or good so be good for your work's Secret Santa exchange.

But that's not how the song -- or the Secret Santa exchange -- really goes ...

You spend all day with your coworkers, but come time for your annual gift exchange, you're stuck trying to figure out exactly what Suzie will want that's also in your price range.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Top 10 Educational Gifts for Kids



Top 10 Educational Gifts for Kids

Before you head out to buy a lot of Christmas toys this year, ask yourself — what happened to the toys from last year? Forgotten? Bottom of the toy box? Never taken out of the box? Interesting for only two days? These are common mom observations, and it can be a challenge to find meaningful Christmas gifts.


No surprise, I look for gifts that are fun and encourage learning, so here is my list of the top 10 educational gifts for kids this year: