Project Clearinghouse

Solar power upgrade for research and teaching at the UCSC Año Nuevo Reserve

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

Classes that visit the Ano Nuevo Natural Reserve (a UC managed site) are currently limited to simple day-trips, requiring daily transit to/from the main campus. Installation of solar generator kits will allow classes to stay overnight (by providing light, a projector for powerpoint presentation, etc.)

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Buildings & Facilities
Project Status: 
In Progress
Project End Date: 
03/01/2018
(estimated)
Campus Organization: 
Carbon Fund
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
EEB
Project Location: 
Off campus

Ano Nuevo Reserve


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressContact NumberDepartment
Patrick Robinson
patrick.robinson@ucsc.edu
831-708-8094
EEB
Funding Sources: 
UCSC CarbonFund

Project Description: 

Our project, “Solar power upgrade for research and teaching at the UCSC Año Nuevo Reserve”, will provide a long-term solar power solution for research and teaching activities at UC’s Año Nuevo Natural Reserve (http://naturalreserves.ucsc.edu/). This unique Reserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife and ecosystems including a large elephant seal colony. Researchers from around the world join professor Dan Costa, graduate students, and undergraduates in a variety of research projects. The Reserve also hosts a variety of undergraduate classes who use the natural areas as a living classroom. However, a lack of infrastructure means that researchers and classes are forced to go all the way back to Santa Cruz to process samples, lecture using PowerPoint presentations, or even to enter and process data. By installing a solar generator kit which includes solar panels, deep-cycle battery, and inverter, we will be providing a source of electricity that is both clean and renewable. This will allow researchers, instructors, and students to use a variety of additional equipment and remain at this field site for longer periods of time. This will conserve natural resources by directly powering equipment using solar power, but also dramatically reduce the number of car-hours transporting people back and forth to Santa Cruz. Additionally, a clean power source will allow field leaders to charge VHF radios that are used as a safety link to State Park Rangers in the event of an emergency. Our team has successfully installed a similar solar generator unit at a neighboring site and it has been used continuously. We will purchase and install the solar generators by the end of April 2017 and they will be put into continuous use for the foreseeable future.

Metrics for Success: 

We will use two metrics to measure the resource savings of this project:

1. Using the solar generator charging screen, we can estimate the KwH of power used by each day of activity. A log-sheet will allow individual users to log this information.

2. An existing online user database will be queried to assess the number of overnight visits to the Reserve and, therefore, the number of vehicle-miles saved.

Next Steps: 
Purchase solar generator kits Install Solar panels and test the system Invite classes to visit
Result Categories: 
Infrastructure/Built Environment
Results: 

This project will directly result in decreased vehicle/van usage by encouraging overnight class trips to the Ano Nuevo Reserve instead of repeated day trips. The solar generator will allow classes to power basic equipment such as lighting, powerpoint projectors, radios. The purchase of equipment and installation will likely take 2 months. Once installed, the solar generators will be used continuously for the foreseeable future.