Solar Powered Air Conditioning

Solar Powered Air Conditioning
for Elderly, Low Income

Houstonians
Robert L. Howard, Jr., Ph.D.
National Society of Black Engineers
Houston Space Chapter
Introduction
The Need
Air conditioning can be as high as 25-40% of
a households annual energy costs
Many low-income residents cannot afford this
and go without air conditioning
60,000 homes in Houston without power in
2001; only 14,443 in all of Texas received
assistance
Senior citizens accounted for 14 out of 20
heat-related deaths in Houston in 2001
NSBE Houston Space Chapter
August, 2003
Chapter Technology Seminar
Introduction
The Need
CDC reports fans are useless at temperatures
above 90 deg F with humidity above 35%
Spur movement of hot, humid air
Causes increased heat stress accelerates body
hearting and raises internal body temperature
Essentially turns room into convection oven
Should not be used for preventing heat-related
illness in areas of high humidity
August, 2003
Introduction
Problem persists despite local efforts to
help
Window air conditioners donated, but wiring

in many homes cannot handle added load
1998 fatality: widower had turned off air
conditioner to save money
Houston libraries and multipurpose centers
open as cooling centers, but inaccessible to
some: elderly less mobile, afraid to leave
home, lack transportation
August, 2003
Introduction
Excellent opportunity for NSBE and
NASA to come together in mutual

fulfillment of charters
NSBE-Houston Space Chapter can make a
positive impact by installing solar powered
air conditioners in as many elderly, low
income households as possible
August, 2003
Introduction
Provides a cool zone within home elderly
do not have to leave homes to be safe

Does not interfere with limited house
wiring
Will not increase household electric bill
Technology available off the shelf, but not
accessible to these communities cost and
unfamiliarity; we will bring it to them
August, 2003
Introduction
Harmony of NSBE and NASA objectives
NASA vision is to improve life here, to extend life
there, to find life beyond.
NSBE mission is to increase the number of culturally
responsible Black engineers who excel academically,
succeed professionally, and positively impact the
community
Solar power system improves life here in a
culturally responsible way that positively impacts

the community
If we dont do it, who will?
August, 2003
Introduction
Service project may well save lives; at
minimum it will increase the comfort of

our elderly
Also benefits chapter members by
providing hands-on technical experience
many will not encounter in day-to-day job
responsibilities
August, 2003
Brief Survey of Solar Electric

Power
More than just a set of solar panels
Variety of components required for proper
functioning
Photovoltaic Panel
Three basic types: single crystal silicon,
polycrystal silicon, and thin film/amorphous
Convert sunlight directly into DC electricity
August, 2003

Power
Inverter
Converts DC electricity into AC electricity
Most home appliances require AC power
Battery
Provide energy storage for use when solar panels
cannot receive sunlight
Also supplement panels to smooth power level
Most are Lead-acid (30% sulfuric acid)
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) type recommended
requires no maintenance and cannot leak
August, 2003

Power
Charge Controller
Used in any solar power system that includes
batteries
Blocks reverse current (solar panels draining
batteries) and prevents battery overcharge
May also prevent battery overdischarge,
protect from electrical overload, and display
battery status and flow of power
August, 2003

Power
Power Outlets and Wiring
Proper gauge wiring essential to avoid poor
performance of appliances and possible fire
risks
Power outlets sometimes include circuit
protection
Frame/Structure
Hold solar panels in place; roof or pole
mounts; some pole mounts track sun
August, 2003
Overview of Mars Testbed Solar

Recharge Station
Some in-house JSC experience with solar
power systems
Environmental Office (COD) and Advanced

EVA Group built a solar recharge station as
part of a Mars testbed activity
Used commercially available components
from Solarcraft (Stafford, TX)
Purpose was to demonstrate how state-of-theart technology can improve life on earth as
well as explore space
August, 2003

Recharge Station
August, 2003

Recharge Station
Reads like a prelude to this project
HSC will seek to tap into their expertise
and possibly their relationship with

Solarcraft
Will also seek to coordinate with MOD
and Engineering Directorate organizations
involved with solar power
August, 2003

System
Two main options exist:
Daylight-only system (no batteries)
Simpler, significantly less expensive
Offers no cooling between sunset and dawn
Continuously operating system (requires

batteries)
Provides constant temperature
More expensive and complex
Presentation will explore both options, but will

not choose between them
August, 2003

System
Daylight-only Configuration
August, 2003

System
Continuous Operation Configuration
August, 2003
Subsystem Data
In order to conduct a preliminary sizing,
data was compiled on commercially

available solar power subsystems and air
conditioning units
Voltage, wattage, amperage, BTU cooling
capacity, price, vendor, etc.
August, 2003
Preliminary System Sizing

Complete solar-powered air conditioning
system sized based on current vendor

prices
Should not be construed as an exact
specification of what the system will look
like or cost
Prices, component availability subject to
change
Chapter may decide to construct items inhouse rather than use commercial equipment
August, 2003

Should be viewed as a ballpark estimate
Both options (daytime vs. continuous)
sized
For simplicity, continuous system assumes:
12 hours charge time; 10 hours discharge time
Overcast conditions not modeled in this
analysis
August, 2003

Both options assume cooling for a 300 to
350 square foot area, which includes a

kitchen
Rule of thumb suggests 8,000 BTU air
conditioner for this square footage, with
additional 4,000 BTU to account for
kitchen heat
Selected 1140 W Kenmore 12,300 BTU
Multi-Room Air Conditioner
August, 2003

Option 1 (Daytime-only)
Photovoltaic Panel
SAPC-165 multicrystalline module
156 W per module, $612
Total of seven required, for cost of $4284
Panel Mounting
UTRF64 Passive Tracking Mount
Tracks sun passively (no electric power)
Holds all seven SAPC-165, costs $989
August, 2003

Inverter
Sized based on power generated
Using Powerstar 1300 inverter, but requires
DC Converter
Powerstar operates at 12 V, photovoltaic panels
operate at 24 V
Powerstar costs $540, converter costs $285 for
total of $825.00
August, 2003

Wiring and Receptacle
Length will vary with each house; impossible
to specify in advance
Assuming generic value of $200
Total cost for Option 1: $6,698

One unresolved concern: uneven power
supply levels may damage air conditioner

Chapter will need to resolve concern
August, 2003

Option 2 (Continuous Operation)
Batteries
AGM batteries chosen - 12V Concorde PVX2120L offers the best value (2520 W-hrs)
Six batteries required to meet power goal
Cost $304.95 each, for a total of $1,829.70
Photovoltaic Panels
15 SAPC-165 providing 2400W at $5,999.85
Inverters
Two Powerstar 1300 Inverters at $1,080
August, 2003

Option 2 (Continuous Operation)
Charge Controller
Trace C35: three units used one for every
two batteries
Total cost: $337.05
Tracking Mounts
Two UTRF64 tracking mounts used at cost of
$1,978
Total cost for Option 2: $11,819.64
August, 2003

Difference in price visually shows why
Option 1 remains a preferred choice

$6,698 vs. $11,819.64
Limitations in Option 1 must be solved
before it can be considered valid, however
August, 2003
Fundraising
Chapter cannot pay for this project from
dues, shirt sales, and dinners

Will seek to partner with JSC, contractors,
and solar power companies in hopes of
equipment donations
Will pursue grants and contracts from
foundations, government agencies,
businesses, nonprofits, etc.
August, 2003
Fundraising
Need chapter members to join Finance
Zone to help Marlo in this area

Need new members from business
directorates within JSC and contractors,
especially B, H, and L mail codes
August, 2003
Engineering Roadmap
This paper is only a first step, not a
complete analysis
Need for additional studies - engineering
work continues
Deepen understanding of solar power systems
Resolve outstanding technical issues
Generate
Finalized specifications
Safety reviews
Implementation procedures
August, 2003
Engineering Roadmap
Need for electrical engineers in the chapter
to step up and get involved

New members especially needed from
DF7, DT4, EC, EP, and JA13
Room for other chapter members
engineers and non-engineers to contribute
August, 2003
Engineering Roadmap
Paper studies likely to continue through fall and
into early spring

Build hardware experience prior to assembling
air conditioner units
Conduct series of smaller, less expensive solar
projects (e.g. solar fans, other low wattage devices)
Side benefit: many of these may have outreach uses
Goal: first operational unit completed in time for
summer 2004
August, 2003
Candidate Selection
No mechanism in place yet to select
recipients must be accomplished prior to

first delivery
Churches, United Way, etc. work routinely
with the types of elderly we wish to serve
Coordinating with such organizations will
help us to identify responsible elderly with
genuine need
August, 2003
Conclusion
We cant help everyone suffering in Houston
We will make a difference
We will pioneer a roadmap other organizations
can follow
Enhance image of NASA, NSBE, contractors,
partners
Gain sense of satisfaction we will have used
our skills to change the lives of people
August, 2003
Questions?
August, 2003

Solar Powered Air Conditioning

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Solar Powered Air Conditioning

for Elderly, Low Income

Window air conditioners donated, but wiring

NASA to come together in mutual

do not have to leave homes to be safe

Solar power system improves life here in a

culturally responsible way that positively impacts

minimum it will increase the comfort of

Brief Survey of Solar Electric

Brief Survey of Solar Electric

Brief Survey of Solar Electric

Brief Survey of Solar Electric

Overview of Mars Testbed Solar

Environmental Office (COD) and Advanced

Overview of Mars Testbed Solar

NSBE Houston Space Chapter

Overview of Mars Testbed Solar

and possibly their relationship with