Students learn about renewable energy at Prairie View A&M University’s solar farm

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY, Texas (KBTX) – After extensive power outages caused by Tropical Storm Beryl, the solar research lab at Prairie View A&M University is looking for renewable energy solutions.

This is one of many research projects conducted in the laboratory, in which students from different levels of education and different fields can apply their acquired knowledge in practice.

At the time of this article’s publication, the sky was dark and overcast. However, the solar panels continued to collect energy from the sun, powering the research lab.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Dr. Anthony Hill demonstrated the process using an app on his phone.

“We are still receiving sunlight and the system is currently charging the batteries for night use,” Dr. Hill gave an example.

Looking at massive power outages, especially those caused by natural disasters, Dr. Hill said solar energy could step in when power lines are down. That, in turn, would minimize the need for gas-powered generators.

“The goal is to make it economical to the point where you can see the difference if you’re using a solar power system. Our goal is to keep people operating after disasters in individual locations and across the community,” Dr. Hill said.

What students learn in the solar lab, Dr. John Fuller said, prepares them for the realities of the energy industry. One of those realities is the decline in the availability of “consumable resources” like coal and oil.

“You will need to have an alternative system to maintain the lifestyle you have here now,” explained Dr. Fuller.

For some of these students, grants and fellowship opportunities open doors to future research. More importantly for the two professors, the solar lab makes students eagerly await what they can learn.

“You talk about how you look at this radiation and how this moving panel starts tracking… You get them excited about engineering,” Dr. Fuller added.

A photovoltaic laboratory will soon have access to an electric vehicle, allowing it to research renewable charging methods.