Friday, June 19, 2009

Cal Poly students create "recycled" solar energy system

This month, a group of Cal Poly Pomona graduate students completed work on a rooftop photovoltaic (solar cell) system for the school's prototype "Habitat 21" house.

What makes the project unique is the students' concerted effort at material reuse. The panels themselves were salvaged from a defunct "solar park", while previously-used charge controllers, batteries, breaker boxes, and other miscellaneous parts were donated by a local company. For the interior of the dwelling, LED-powered light fixtures are fashioned out of dried gourds (that's right, gourds), radiator fans provide ventilation, and a car stereo (wired to indoor and outdoor speakers) gives life to the party.

This project, along with other examples of sustainable practices can be seen in person at the John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona.

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