Solar Team Update

Greetings Solar Team ~

Attached is the current version of the Yestermorrow campus with the center of gravity now returned to the Alpen Inn.  This change was driven by a zoning requirement that no more than 25% of existing buildings may be destroyed.  Budget and schedule also played a role.

So this is great news for those who monitor our solar income as well as many who felt the previous layout was not sufficiently compact.  The current layout is more densely configured and the buildings will receive significantly more sun.

You will see that the parking area has been turned into a solar garden with PV trellises over many of the parking areas.  It is hoped this area may be able to generate some serious electricity though certainly not all that the school uses.  Not really a traditional parking lot, this is meant to be where arrivals will leave their carbon cars and go native…or at least electric.  It is also meant to be a multi-purpose area where the school can host farmers’ markets, flea sales, civic functions and other informal events.  Serving all these functions makes it an important design gesture that goes beyond mere parking.

Currently this draft plan is in the hands of our civil engineer who is working out the topography, septic, and drainage issues.  The results will be combined with our forestry plan, feedback form the Dept. of Agriculture, the storm water study and various other input we have been collecting.

I send it along to keep the Solar Field Team current and invite input.  We are trying to make progress even during the holidays.  Things are moving along nicely but we have put our DRB (Design Review Board) presentation on hold in order to have time to embrace the fullest spectrum of input.

I will send an updated version as soon as we get something back from the civil.  Don’t wait to give any feedback you might have.

Thanks for your thoughts!

John