Life @ Otis : Faculty Life : Faculty Development

Jason Burton

2008-09 Faculty Development Grant

PV Design & Installation Intensive Workshop

In Spring 2009, I received a Faculty Development Grant to participate in a five day workshop on the fundamentals, design and installation of solar electric systems. The awarded funds also allowed for a five night stay at La Quinta Inn near the workshop site.

The workshop was hosted at Real Goods Carlson Solar located in Murrieta, CA. The instructor and founder of Carlson Solar, Scott Carlson, provided an all-encompassing foundation in the concepts and mechanics of solar electricity. Established 17 years ago, Carlson Solar has paved the way for solar in Southern California, installing some of the first solar electric systems in San Diego and Riverside County. Mr. Carlson talks about solar like it is a religion, and I can honestly say I am his latest convert.

Course topics included:
- Conservation & Efficiency Practices
- PV Markets and Applications
- Safety Basics
- Electricity Basics
- Solar Energy Fundamentals
- PV Module Fundamentals
- System Components
- System Sizing
- PV Electrical & Mechanical Design
- Performance Analysis & Troubleshooting

After completing this workshop, I am extremely excited about the future of solar technology and the impact it will have on my life, work and teachings. I am confident that this experience will help me to continue to develop each of the following criteria for rank and promotion at Otis:

Professional Achievement

Much of my recent professional activities include architectural design and construction work. As a designer for R&D Architects in Venice, CA, I have specified several solar systems in design drawings but have had to coordinate with solar contractors well before the bid negotiation phase. After completing the workshop I can now design the system without the cost of a consultant. Future designs can implement solar system requirements at the beginning of the design process, seamlessly integrating all the components. This bridge between design and engineering leads to better decision making as early as the schematic phase, through development and into construction administration.

Over the last four years I have been working on my personal residence in a design/build capacity. I see it as a prototype for sustainable renovation techniques. I am looking forward to experimenting with the latest solar technologies within my “live-in” laboratory.

Teaching Effectiveness

Clearly solar technology is now and is inevitably going to become more important to product design and development. Since my full time status is in the Product Design department, the topics discussed in the workshop will add to my credibility as an advisor to the students who are interested in sustainable practices.

Much of the discussion during the workshop revolved around the history of this young industry. Mr. Carlson has had the opportunity to consult with designers of system components and hardware over the years. Many of the techniques that solar contractors developed in the field have now become patented products with turn key application. It appears that product development within the solar industry has limitless potential.

Contributions to the College

I am currently a co-chair on the Environmental Steering Committee at Otis. The committee has commissioned a Green House Gas (GHG) audit of Otis as an institution and is currently developing goals which will attempt to lower the GHG footprint of Otis.

As of yet the option to implement a solar electric system at Otis has been overlooked because of the general assumption that it is too costly and cannot be justified. Although this may turn out to be the case, the workshop has opened my eyes to possibilities that I will certainly bring to the table.

Because of my role as faculty advisor to “O cycle” (the student run green club at Otis) and my position on the Environmental Steering Committee, I have and will continue to make myself available to students, faculty and staff as a consultant regarding environmentally sustainable practices.

I am so very thankful to Otis, the Faculty Development Committee, the Product Design Department, Real Goods and Scott Carlson for the new wave of energy I found during the solar workshop in Murrieta.