solar-pv

Williams Inn and Bookstore self-guided sustainability tours

CambridgeSeven, the architecture firm behind the design of the new Williams Inn and the Williams Bookstore, has released a self-guided sustainability tour that features highlights of the buildings intended to increase efficiency and reduce energy costs. The firm kept stormwater design, local materials, and solar energy in mind while designing… Continue reading »

Update on ’66 Center solar panel construction

Wondering about the impressively deep hole being dug next to the Class of 1966 Environmental Center? Well, it turns out that this construction is necessary in order to install six (6) pole-mounted solar photovoltaic arrays! The new solar arrays are thanks to the Envi Center’s efforts to complete… Continue reading »

Large Scale Renewable Electricity Projects

Williams, Amherst, Smith, Hampshire (and sometimes UMass Amherst) are working on several joint projects – we’re hoping to amplify our impact, and we help keep each other sane and on track. One project we’re calling the Community Climate Fund.  (Read more about it here.) The other is related… Continue reading »

Morley Science Center PV

Current production: kilowatts Maximum possible production: 7.2 kilowatts Install date: 2004 Area of panels: 58 m2   The image at left was taken by a webcam on the roof of Morley Science Center. Click here to access the webcam. Enter the user name… Continue reading »

Solar PV

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV) are made of at least two layers of semi-conductor materials. One layer has a positive charge, and the other has a negative charge. When light hits the top semi-conductor layer, a portion of the energy is absorbed, freeing electrons from the negative layer to flow through an external circuit and back in to the positive layer. This flow of electrons creates electric current. Individual solar panels can be connected to increase the power output, creating a solar array. Continue reading »