Students in Nelson Kilmer’s College Physics II class presented their class projects to faculty and staff during a campus Earth Day celebration April 29. Kilmer’s students tested photovoltaic solar collectors and explored methods of connecting home systems to the power grid. Students completed feasibility studies and cost analysis for faculty members Bob and Lorna Harder and President Howard and Tami Keim. The Harders are considering installing a system to power their rural home with the goal of generating nearly all the power they consume.
One group evaluated four proposals that Kilmer’s son Ron, a Phoenix resident, is considering for his home. Sophomores Nebil Mohammed (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), Breezie Sims (Valley Center, Kan.) and Kyle Vogt (Harper, Kan.) reviewed each proposal considering material and installation costs, generating capacity, rebates and tax savings available, appropriate/necessary capacity for Kilmer’s home, and optimum installation location.
The students recommended one of the proposals and calculated that if Kilmer installed that option, he could anticipate spending about $44,000 and receiving $22,000 in rebates from the power company and $13,000 in state and federal tax credits. After rebates and credits the system should generate enough electricity to pay for itself in 3.9 years with the added benefit of improving the home’s value. The students calculated that the system would generate $78,000 worth of electricity and save 432 tons of carbon emissions over a 25-year period.
Kilmer’s physics students have completed several solar projects in recent years including installing solar panels to power some classroom lights in the college’s science building and installing a solar collector on a golf cart to charge the cart’s battery.
“My goal for the project was for students to gain new understanding of electrical theory and apply their new knowledge in a very practical way,” Kilmer commented. “The students researched each component and tested combinations of all components to determine the best system both in terms of efficiency of production and life span of the system, including factors that would reduce the collectors’ generating capacity or efficiency.
“Their research confirmed the effectiveness and economy of grid tie systems,” Kilmer added.
Other class members include sophomores Jordan Bontrager (Hesston, Kan.), Rachel Fahrenthold (Solomon, Kan.), Sam Kauffman (Surrey, N.D.) and Tyler Krehbiel (Pretty Prairie, Kan.) and freshmen Kenzie Jones (Hyde Park, Utah), Cassie Miller (Beemer, Neb.), Taylor Nebel (Hesston, Kan.).