POWERING A COMMUNITY NEED

Aneed for students to gain hands-on experience while supporting a community need can often be the perfect formula for an Academic Community Engagement course at Sam Houston State University. This was the realization College of Science & Engineering Technology professors Reg Pecen and Keith Coogler had for a solar powered canopy system at the City of Huntsville Aquatic Center that they and their students would design and build.

City management welcomed the collaboration. During hot summer days, residents needed shaded rest areas while they enjoyed water activities. The residents also needed easy access to electric outlets for charging their smartphones and other devices away from the sun.

With the city providing all the necessary material and parts, including solar PV panels, Engineering Technology students created sustainable charging stations for the center. Of course, with most real-life experiences, there were a few hitches along the way.

“Students faced difficulties on welding, precise joint cuttings and drilling of the metal frame. Permanent installation of the stations, placing grounding rods through the concrete base, were also challenges they experienced,” Pecen said.

The project included two separate designs of charging stations in different locations of the center.

“Students chose a common spot with maximum solar radiation exposure to place one of the stations in an open area of the center’s courtyard,” Pecen said. “They decided that location would be ideal since parents can comfortably sit under the shade, charge their small electronics devices and watch their kids in the water. The second location was selected at the southwest corner of the aquatic center.”

The stations provide zero emission sustainable charging as well as lighting for aquatic center staff and visitors.

“Introduction of renewable energy applications to engineering technology curriculum at SHSU has positively impacted students, faculty and the Huntsville community, indicating a promising outreach effort,” Pecen said. “The City of Huntsville paid all the cost and SHSU faculty and students provided service and opportunity for engaging in sustainable community work.”H