In observance of Earth Day, Wichita State University's College of Engineering and University United Methodist Church (UUMC) will formally dedicate a new rooftop solar array on the church located across the street from the WSU campus at 21st and Yale.

The public can see the installation project during Earth Day-themed dedication events from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22. The event includes electric cars being charged by solar electricity, a real-time display of solar array electricity generation and Earth Day projects by Wichita school children and WSU engineering students.

The dedication ceremony is at 1:30 p.m. and will feature a vocal music performance by students from Cloud Elementary School. 

The $70,000 installation is one of 15 projects funded through Westar Energy's Solar Photovoltaic Program. The projects are supported by funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The project was initiated by Bill Wentz, WSU distinguished professor emeritus of aerospace engineering and former director of the National Institute for Aviation Research. A member of the UUMC, Wentz saw potential benefits for the congregation and the university. The church would get a green energy source; Wichita State would get a nearby solar installation to provide opportunities for experiential learning and research.

Real-time information

In addition to the solar panels on the church roof, the installation includes computer-generated real-time information about the solar array energy production and the building energy needs, accessible through a web-based informational kiosk to enable users to learn about solar-related topics.

WSU will integrate data from the solar array and build electrical energy needs into programs for its engineering students as well as for researchers in industry and government agencies. This will provide a hands-on opportunity for students in the Renewable Energy Technology program, as well as children served by the College of Engineering’s K-12 Outreach program.

“This project demonstrates WSU’s commitment for studentlearning, community partnership and sustainability initiatives,” said Deepak Gupta, director of engineering technology at WSU. “We are excited to collaborate with Westar Energy and UUMC on this project and hope that it will provide great learning opportunities for our students in Renewable Energy Technology and other programs in the college.”

Two other Wichita solar demonstration projects funded by Westar include a rooftop solar-powered information kiosk at the Great Plains Nature Center and a ground-mounted solar at the Sedgwick County Zoo to be installed near the Amphibian and Reptile Building.

For information, go to http://www.uumc.net/solar.htm.