A few years ago the Morrison dorm underwent major renovations. One such renovation was the addition of 179 solar panels atop the ten story high-rise. These solar panels provide enough energy to provide Morrison with upwards of 6,000 gallons of hot water a day. This replaced the previously used steam-powered heating system that is still in place as a backup. The panels cost the university $180,000 which was paid for by a four dollar a person student fee and a $137,455 grant from N.C.'s Energy Policy Council of the State Energy Office. This shows that while the upfront costs of green technologies may be high the cost burden can be distributed among many people and have a minimal impact on individuals. These panels save the university $11,275 a year and thus will pay for themselves in 16 years. The panels also release zero carbon emissions and conserve water. The previously used steam-powered system used more water than was necessary to create energy. Overall, the solar panels will provide green carbon free energy to the building of Morrison with a minimal long term cost. This example shows that while the upfront costs may be high, in the long term green technology will pay for itself and have minimal impact on the environment.
You can actually go to http://buildingdashboard.com/clients/unc/morrison/ and see real time statistics of energy production and use at Morrison. You can see how much energy the solar panels provide and the impact other "green" technologies, such as insulated windows and roofing, have had on Morrison.
Green technologies are definitely the way to go, especially with the current economic situation that our country is facing. Yes, the immediate cost of "green" technology maybe rather high, but overall, you would be paying less and it is an extremely beneficial for our nation. It really does make me feel better that universities are hopping onto the bandwagon and going green. However, what are some more specific impacts that would occur from these solar panels and other green technology? Also, how does this green technology affect our current economical issue within our nation?
ReplyDeleteWOW....Just visited the website attached in the link. This is absolutely amazing how much energy can be produced through solar panels and green technologies of the like. To actually be able to compare and see the changes of energy collected and used throughout the day is exciting. I was aware of green technologies like energy efficient cars, solar panels, etc but I didn't realize the amount of energy that they can actually produce. Solar panels and green technologies like these are not publicized nearly as much as other green technologies. For example the only real green technology I have heard of is hybrid cars. The concept of green technology is very interesting and I would like to learn more about this topic ASAP. It would be nice to be exposed to additional green technologies that are "off the radar" and not mainstream so that those innovations receive just as much attention as the more common green technologies.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the first comment solar panels and other green technologies have a very minimal impact environmentally. With the solar panels there are no emissions and we are drawing energy from a source that is estimated to last about 10 billion more years. Besides costs the only downside of green technologies is the space it takes to implement effectively but even this is minimal in comparison to current energy productions. Green technology if implemented correctly could benefit the current economy by creating jobs and lowering energy costs however the main obstacle is the upfront costs. Tech Man, there are hundreds of green technologies out today so I am going to try to focus on solar and water but when I post my links page you will find many links that have other technologies on them. Feel free to take a look at those to discover other technologies.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this entry about the use of solar power in Morrison Dorm I am convinced that this specific green technology is absolutely implementable and cost effective. A major argument against green technology is the cost, but four dollars per person for less carbon emissions and water conservation hardly seems like a daunting request. In addition, many people may question the effectiveness of solar power. However, I have friends in Morrison Dorm and the capabilities of the solar panels absolutely mimic the older and more harmful methods of energy production.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this entry, I knew that solar panels cost a lot but I didn't realize how much they returned. Not only does it return the money in just a short 16 years and only cost the individual four dollars, but it helps the environment. Why haven't they put solar panels on all of the major dorms?
ReplyDeleteIt is great that UNC is taking steps in the right direction, however that is just one of the many dorms on campus. Imagine the cost of installing solar panels on all campus buildings. The attempts at "going green" make the university look good and it is a liberal arts school so of course it must practice what it is preaching. However, installing solar panels on a few buildings is a bit like sticking a bandaid on a bullet wound.
ReplyDeleteI really like this blog post. The information provided within the blog and the data illustrated on the link you provided provides ample evidence that going green in this situation was the right thing to do; my opinion may be slighly biased since I live in Morrison, but I am extremely happy that it only takes a couple of seconds for the water to heat..lol...
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that Morrison is trying to go green. I think if they would just take the air condition out of the dorm like Ehaus and Craige then they would not have to go green just kidding but Ehaus is winning the go green games.
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