KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2010 / NEWS
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Howard Tina/KANSAN
David McNally, a senior from Overland Park, discusses the parts needed to mount two solar panels donated by Affordable Solar, a company based in Albuquerque, N.M. A.M affordable Solar donated two of the solar panels to EcoHawks free of charge.
David McNally, a senior from Overland Park; Bryan Strecker, a senior from Topeka; and Alfonso Bortone, a senior from Olathe, review the final installation steps after bringing the two solar panels to the roof of the "Boathouse" on West Campus. EcoHawks is also constructing a 500-mile-gallon car using a 1974 Volkswagen Beetle.
SOLAR (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
Solar in New Mexico, for guidance simply because solar energy isn't a popular industry in Kansas.
Strecker said the project team had received discounts and donations from various companies including Affordable Solar. In return, the companies only requested recognition as payment.
"It's a pretty unique project so when people hear about it, especially solar companies, they are really excited to help out," Strecker said.
Depcik said that the project's various components, including the solar panels and the Volkswagen Beetle, makes it especially unique. He said he doesn't know of anyone else looking to integrate all those technologies.
A RISKY INVESTMENT
"The students get to learn in a real world situation how this flow of energy occurs." Depcik said.
Right now, it's just a prospect, but it's a large one.
The KU Center for Research will decide during the next few months whether to install two solar panels, spanning 6,000 square feet. Installed out of the sight of most students on West Campus, the two panels are planned to sit next to the Library Annex, 1800 Westbrook St. A+F GimbH, a German solar energy company, produces the rotating panels, which haven't been widely used in the States.
With the capacity to generate 176,000 kilowatts annually, the panels could be a stable source of energy for the annex and offer faculty and students first-hand experience with solar energy, said Carey Novak, director of business relations and development at KUCR.
Novak said the panels would cost $1 million and take about six months to install. If University officials approve the project, several departments are expected to benefit from the panels, including the engineering department.
"It would be a pretty significant statement on KU's commitment for going toward renewable energy," said Scott McVey, KU energy conservation and utility manager.
Despite the projected benefits, Novak said the outcome was unknown and that University officials couldn't know every problem that might go along with the investment.
KUCR is still evaluating all aspects of the project and will make a decision sometime during the next three months.
MORE THAN A HOME
box standing along the road.
The only difference her neighbors notice as they stroll by is the reflective rays bouncing off her solar panels.
Bean, a professor of physics, bought into green technology in 2008 when she spent about $8,000 after receiving tax
credits — on her first panels. To complement her solar panels, she purchased a Toyota Prius, an energy-efficient water heater, extra insulation and florescent light bulbs. All combine to make her home one of the most efficient, environmentally-friendly in town.
In the ideal situation, where net-metering would allow Bean to sell her solar energy back to Westar for the amount she pays per kilowatt, it would take her 40 years to break even on her initial investment. However, Lawrence doesn't operate on a net-metering system, so instead of earning 12 cents per solar kilowatt-hour, the price per kilowatt -hour she pays the electric company, Bean earns 1.9 cents. It would therefore take 400 years for Bean to make back her investment.
"You'll find that's not very exciting," Bean said.
Though Wester Energy has considered net metering, Loveless said it could prove costly because someone — most likely customers — would have to pay for transmine$^{20}$
"From the company perspective, we see value in encouraging renewables."
y for transmission
BRAD LOVELESS Director of biology and conservation programs at Westar Energy
lines needed.
carry the power,
Loveless said.
"From the company perspective, we see value in encouraging renewables," Loveless said. "But it's an issue of fairness."
Bean didn't spend about $10,000 for the whole process to
turn a profit; she said she knew that wasn't going to happen.
Every time she pulls her Prius into the driveway, Bean sees her panels and doesn't regret the system that, at the current rate, will take 4 centuries to pay off.
"I didn't invest in solar panels to make money," Bean said. "I love my solar panels regardless."
— Edited by Michael Holtz
ODD NEWS
Google Earth used to track down crime
PACE, Fla. — A Florida Panhandle deputy was able to track down and arrest a man on charges of illegally dumping a boat with a surprising tool: Google Earth.
shows archived satellite images of communities across the world. Barnes used it to look at the surrounding area and saw the vessel at Dwight Everett Foster's home.
Deputy Gregory Barnes used the images after finding an 18-foot boat dumped in an undevel oped subdivision. Google Earth
Authorities say Foster admitted dumping the boat and his son later removed it.
Orangeberg bank's night deposit drop box using fishing line and hooks. Authorities said bank employees found a fishing hook in a bag last Friday morning and at least two other hooks in the box. The bank said it had security footage of the would-be angler.
Police said the task was impossible because the boxes had trap doors so dropped bags couldn't be taken out.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — A robber tried to steal money bags from an
Associated Press
Robber tries heist using rod and reel
1. GO TO KU ENROLL AND PAY. 2. ENROLL IN ENTR 301. 3. YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY TO STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
GARDEN (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
golds could be used for pest control."
When the marigolds pop up this spring, they will create a natural defense for the green items such as lettuce, spinach and chard growing this season. They will be nestled among the green rows, carrots, squash, beans and wild peppers that will sprout up from seeds donated by Cottin's Hardware & Rental, 1832 Massachusetts St. The perennial herbs will pop up on their own later this spring, and the group hopes to see a good batch of strawberries as well, Vu said.
"We don't eat much or any to the produce from the community garden," Vu said. "It's OK to take some, but we are all aware that it goes to the ECKAN center."
"The summer is really satisfying," said Katelyn McGill, a senior from Omaha, Neb. "We get to see what comes from the work in the spring."
"I have never had any trouble getting people to try the different fruit and vegetables," she said.
Most of the produce will flourish and sprout food in the summer, but many volunteer hours will be spent this spring preparing for the harvest.
Students can come help and learn from now until the end of the semester Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 2 p.m.
— Edited by Kate Larrabee
Collin Johnson/KANSAN
Adam Strunk, a sophomore from Wichita, digs in a corner of the Campus Garden Wednesday evening. This is Strunk's second year working in the garden, which is something that comes naturally to him after working in his family's garden. "When I saw this was across the street I thought it would be a good opportunity to volunteer and feel a little closer to home," Strunk said.
CLAS (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
ness, and, knowing that, I want to approach this job with eyes reopened. Because I've been in the role of interim provost, I know a lot about the University and because I've worked within the college in the past, I know a lot about the college. And so I think it will help me because I understand some of the goals that faculty members have. I understand the kinds of concerns the department chairs have.
What do you think students will notice now that you're dean?
Right now, the chancellor has a task force on retention and graduation, and it is in the process of making recommendations about practices that will help faculty and staff members identify more quickly students who may need a little bit of additional encouragement during their first year at the University. So I hope that as a dean I can help identify which of these strategies out of the task force report can help get in place right away so that we are helping our students succeed at a higher rate during their first year.
One of the things that I care about very deeply here at the University is what we collectively call engaged learning. It has to do with different ways faculty members and staff members encourage students to be active in defining their goals and what they want to get out of their education. And so there are engaged learning opportunities that I hope I can help the University promote even more.
Edited by Kate Larrabee
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