Belize School Solar Power Project
Spring Break 2018 March 6-15 A partnership of: Kenyon Department of Mathematics and Statistics Kenyon Environmental Studies Program Kenyon Center for Global Engagement		Live Solar Data from Belize Live data feed showing power being generated at current sites. May take a while to load.

March 2018 Spring Break Trip

This spring break (2018) Professor Robert Alexander and Professor James Skon will be taking a team of students to Belize to work on building Grid-Tie Solar Systems for several schools. This service project will include learning about solar power systems, working with Belize schools, and seeing Belize and experiencing it's culture, environment, history, and people. We will be taking up to 12 Kenyon students.

Trip Application Form

Slide Show: KenyonSolarProject2017.pptx

Trip blog is here.

Project Preparation Schedule

Date	Time	Location	Activity
Sept 11,2017	5:30-7:00pm	PRCL21 (Pierce lower Level meeting room)	Informational meeting for anyone interested in project
Sept 12,2017	5:30-7:00pm	PRCL21 (Pierce lower Level meeting room)	Informational meeting for anyone interested in project
Nov 6, 2017		Application Web Link Deposit: Center for Global Engagement	Application due
Nov 9, 2017	6:00pm		Student accepted will be notified
Nov 14, 2017	5:30-7:00pm	PRCL09 (Pierce lower Level computer Lab)	Required Training
Nov 28, 2017	5:30-7:00pm	PRCL21 (Pierce lower Level meeting room)	Required Training
Dec 4, 2017		Center for Global Engagement	$700 Due
Feb 2, 2018		Center for Global Engagement	Balance Due (TBD)
Feb 6, 2018	5:30-7:00pm	PRCL21 (Pierce lower Level meeting room)	Required Training
Feb 20, 2018	5:30-7:00pm	PRCL21 (Pierce lower Level meeting room)	Required Training

Project Schedule 2018 (Proposed)

Date	Activity	Location	Lodging
Tues Mar 6	Flight, drive to San Ignacio	San Ignacio	Log Cabin Inn
Wed Mar 7	Alvin Young High School Xunantunich	Succotz, San Ignacio	Log Cabin Inn
Thur Mar 8	Belmopan Baptist High School Drive to Toledo	Belmopan -> Toledo	Toledo Christian Academy
Fri Mar 9	San Francisco Jeronimo RC School	Pueblo Viejo	Home Stay, Aguagate
Sat Mar 10	Aguagate RC Primary School	Aguagate	Belmopan Area?
Sun Mar 11	Blue hole, to Ambergris Caye	Caya, then Ambergris Caye	Sandbar
Mon Mar 12	San Pedro High School	San Pedro	Sandbar
Tue Mar 13	New Horizons	San Pedro	Sandbar
Wed Mar 14	Finish, fun	San Pedro	Sandbar
Thur Mar 15	Flight home

Last meeting notes:

1. Get phone numbers
2. confirm special travel arrangements
3. talk about meeting time and where.
4. vaccination status
5. packing questions

Important Numbers

• Jim Skon - USA: 740-358-9417, Belize: 011-501-621-7841Important Phone Numbers
• Rob Alexander - USA: 434-941-9575, Belize: 011-501-628-4293
• Center for Global Engagement - Marne-740-501-0269, Meghan Mason 330-612-1717

Belize Information:

• Belize History
• Belize Culture and People
• Belize Geography
• BelizeHistory.pdf

Flight Information (American Airlines)

Flight	Date	Depart	Arrive	From	To
3632O	06 MAR	6:53A	9:40A	CMH	MIA
2454O	06 MAR	12:30P	1:51P	MIA	Belize
1419O	15 MAR	11:45A	3:50P	Belize	MIA
3458O	15 MAR	7:30P	10:21P	MIA	CMH

Departure and arrival information

• You will need to fill out a spring break housing form is you need to stay on campus any days before or after the trip (March 6 and March 15 are likely). If your dorm is closed you will need to find a friend with an open dorm.
• Be waiting, in from of the by the post office by 3:15am sharp. We will load and leave at 3:30am sharp.
• We will likely return to campus around midnight on March 15. It may be later.
• Alternatively you may get to the airport on your own by 5:00am. You may also have someone pick you up at the airport at 10:30-10:00pm. I will need to know if you plan to do either.

Packing List

Click Here for Packing List

Application to Participate

• We have room for twelve (12) students on this trip. If you wish to participate you will need to apply by November 6
• Those selected will be notified by November 13.
• The cost of the trip is $2?00 (the application fee counts as part of this). $700 Due by December 15. The balance is due February 15.
• In addition up to 6 alternates will be selected. If you change your mind, or do not pay your $100 application fee, your slot will pass to the next alternate. It is likely at least some alternates will get to go, so don't give up if you aren't selected on the first round.
• Application Link

Training and Prep Meeting

• There will be 4 required evening training and preparation meetings during January and February.

Work Safety Best Practices

This project involves work activities that are inherently dangerous. These activities include the use of hand and power tools, working with DC and AC electrical systems, using ladders, and working on roofs. Any person not exercising best practices in these activities will increase the possibility of injury to others and themselves. Therefore all people engaging in these activities are required to know, and practice, best practices to minimize the possibility of accidents. Any person who does not learn and practice these principals will be excluded from these activities.

During the training sessions we will discuss and review the following practices. We will role play to help learn the methods.

1. Use of ladders: OSHA List
2. Roof top work:
   • Top 10 Rooftop Safety Hazards
   • Practices for Roof Work
3. Electrical Work: Best Practices
4. Hand and Power Tools

Panel mounting

instructions

Passport and Visas

• US Citizens: A passort is required. If you do not have one you must apply by the end of November. No visa is needed.
• Non-US Citizens. You will need a US multi-entry visa attached to you non-US passport. Belize will recognize this in place of a US passport.

Grid Tie Solar Power Systems

Power is expensive in Belize, and schools struggle to pay for the electricity used by their computer labs (it's about the only thing they use power for). After installing computer labs for many years, we decided to explore solar power for schools to reduce their power expenses.

A list of current solar installations constructed under this program in Belize can be found here.

What we do is build "Grid-Tie Solar Systems". What this means is that we generate electricity for the school that reduces the amount of electricity that must be purchased from the electric company. How does it work?

The sun shines on the solar panels generating DC electricity The DC electricity is fed into a solar inverter that converts it to 120V 60Hz AC electricity. The 120V AC electricity is used to power appliances in the school. Surplus electricity is fed back into the main grid. (as allowed)

Whenever the sun shines (and even in overcast weather), the solar cells generate electricity. The grid connect inverter converts the DC electricity produced by the solar panels into 120V AC electricity, which can then be used by the school.

If a grid connect system is producing more power than is being consumed, the surplus is fed into the mains power grid. Some electricity companies will meter the electricity fed into the grid by the system and provide a credit on the bill.

When the solar cells are not producing power, for example at night, the power is supplied by the mains power grid as usual. The energy retailer charges the usual rate for the power used.

Cost

The trip cost is $2200 per person. The cost will include all transportation to and in Belize, lodging, all meals, and cost of planned activities in Belize (Such as the river boat cruse).

Participants

Last	First	Email	Phone	2/6	Passport Picture
Skon	James	skonjp@kenyon.edu		X	x
Swaim	Lisa	swaiml@kenyon.edu		X	x
Bornstein	Sage	bornstein1@kenyon.edu		X	x
Alexander	Robert	alexanderr@kenyon.edu		X	x
Wolf	Samuel	wolfs@kenyon.edu		X
Kennedy	Caitlin	kennedyc@kenyon.edu		X	x
McDonald	Carly	mcdonald1@kenyon.edu		X
Russell	Sammy	russell2@kenyon.edu		X	x
Haden	Paige	haden1@kenyon.edu		X	x
Stolle-McAllister	Georgia	stollemcallister1@kenyon.edu		X	x
VanMeter	Jennie	vanmeter1@kenyon.edu		X
O’Malley	Jackie	omalley1@kenyon.edu		X	x
Petrich	Hannah	petrich1@kenyon.edu		X	x
Berejka	Ben	berejka1@kenyon.edu		X
Criss	Emily	criss1@kenyon.edu		X	x
Karl	Douglas	doug@dougkarl.com		X
Morton	William	morton1@kenyon.edu		X

Paige Haden <haden1@kenyon.edu>,
Jennie VanMeter <vanmeter1@kenyon.edu>,
Sammy Russell <russell2@kenyon.edu>,
Sage Bornstein <bornstein1@kenyon.edu>,
Emily Criss <criss1@kenyon.edu>,
Georgia Stolle-McAllister <stollemcallister1@kenyon.edu>,
Hannah Petrich <petrich1@kenyon.edu>,
Carly McDonald <mcdonald1@kenyon.edu>,
Samuel Wolf <wolfs@kenyon.edu>,
Caitlin Kennedy <kennedyc@kenyon.edu>,
Ben Berejka <berejka1@kenyon.edu>,
Jackie O'Malley <omalley1@kenyon.edu>,
Robert Alexander <alexanderr@kenyon.edu>,
Doug Karl <doug@dougkarl.com>,
Lisa Swaim <swaiml@kenyon.edu>,
James Skon <skonjp@kenyon.edu>

Reference

• Solar Mounting Best Practices

Panel Sources

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-10-Hyundai-250W-Poly-Solar-Panel-Grade-A-250-Watts-2-5-kw-of-total-power-/371780197818?hash=item568fd39dba:g:~CQAAOSwGIRXX0Xm
• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-20-Hyundai-250W-Poly-Solar-Panel-Grade-A-250-Watts-5-kw-of-total-power/282243221103
• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-12-Trina-250W-Poly-Solar-Panel-Grade-A-250-Watts-3kw-of-total-power/282256193378?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D38530%26meid%3Df09ac0535fb74615b5f837458df3b778%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D371780197818
• http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Lot-of-20-AmeriSolar-UL-Listed-250-Watt-24-Volt-Solar-Panels-AS-6P30-250-/351676463669?hash=item51e18cfa35:g:7VMAAOSwk5FU1PxD
• http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-24-Canadian-Solar-235W-Poly-Solar-Panel-Grade-A-Made-in-USA-235-Watts-/262729001318?hash=item3d2bde6966:g:~CQAAOSwGIRXX0Xm

Aviation

http://www.civilaviation.gov.bz/

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0Bz4CNFc8fQAWQXVfeF9YczY0UGM

Small

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5W-12V-Solar-Panel-DIY-Powered-Models-Small-Cell-Module-Epoxy-Charger-KJ-/201649699799?hash=item2ef3423bd7:g:nbgAAOSwdzVXtoFy
• http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-2W-18V-Solar-Panels-Power-Battery-Small-Solar-Panel-LED-for-Phone-Lamp-Battery-/142127271807?hash=item2117720f7f:g:wmIAAOSwkEVXGg0j

-- Jim Skon - 2016-10-26

Comments

Faculty Visit

• Header.png:

• SolarGridTie.png:

• KenyonSolarProject2018.pptx: KenyonSolarProject2018.pptx

• BelizePoster2017.pptx: BelizePoster2017.pptx

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15h72vX3uKccsl-mkvSiQR1jIEZqI7J8cioHfk1hTVrA/edit#gid=0

• Packing_List.pdf: Packing_List.pdf