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School Lights Up On Sunshine |
Photo © HKU PV Research
Children at Kei Wai Primary School in Park Island, Honk Kong
Admiring their new photo voltaic solar panels
Children at Kei Wai Primary School in Park Island, Honk Kong
Admiring their new photo voltaic solar panels
The Hong Kong University Department of Architecture recently built 835 solar panels on a school in Park Island in Hong Kong. In May 2004, the Kei Wai Primary School and its gleaming new photovoltaic (PV) arrays were officially opened by the Permanent Secretary for Education, Fanny Law. The project was co-sponsored by the Government's Innovation and Technology Fund and the China Light and Power Research Institute.
School Lights Up On SunshineThe blue skies and brilliant sun enabled the school children to show off the potential of the photovoltaic technology to over 1,000 parents and guests present that day. With assistance from Sam Lam and Huey Pang of the Hong Kong University's (HKU) PV Research team, students described the benefits of the technology that generates power from sunlight using specially developed software which logs the electricity produced from the school's extensive roof arrays. It has become a key project, demonstrating the value of photovoltaics to the community, both as a source of renewable energy and as an educational tool.
The University's forecast suggests that about 9 per cent of the school's annual electricity needs will be met by the 40KW solar panels. Generated without harmful emissions, this 'green' electricity represents a saving of approximately 179 tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution. Kei Wai teachers and the research team are now developing lessons that link general science studies and basic semi-conductor technology with a greater understanding of the sun's energy as a powerful local energy resource. The school's website also provides easy access to the PV data whilst encouraging the school children's own research in the area.
The researchers are keen to expand PV systems to more schools and are presently working to set up a funding programme to facilitate this. Schools in Hong Kong, with their classroom related planning grid and generally horizontal layout are an ideal design for PV applications.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Dr Josie Close, Department of Architecture, Hong Kong University, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
www.kwmps.edu.hk
School Lights Up On SunshineThe blue skies and brilliant sun enabled the school children to show off the potential of the photovoltaic technology to over 1,000 parents and guests present that day. With assistance from Sam Lam and Huey Pang of the Hong Kong University's (HKU) PV Research team, students described the benefits of the technology that generates power from sunlight using specially developed software which logs the electricity produced from the school's extensive roof arrays. It has become a key project, demonstrating the value of photovoltaics to the community, both as a source of renewable energy and as an educational tool.
The University's forecast suggests that about 9 per cent of the school's annual electricity needs will be met by the 40KW solar panels. Generated without harmful emissions, this 'green' electricity represents a saving of approximately 179 tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution. Kei Wai teachers and the research team are now developing lessons that link general science studies and basic semi-conductor technology with a greater understanding of the sun's energy as a powerful local energy resource. The school's website also provides easy access to the PV data whilst encouraging the school children's own research in the area.
The researchers are keen to expand PV systems to more schools and are presently working to set up a funding programme to facilitate this. Schools in Hong Kong, with their classroom related planning grid and generally horizontal layout are an ideal design for PV applications.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Dr Josie Close, Department of Architecture, Hong Kong University, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
www.kwmps.edu.hk
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