Solar Energy and Shaded Parking (SEASP) at Kansas State University

Introduction

There are a number of reasons to develop the concept of solar energy and shaded parking in conjunction with newly needed charge stations for plug-in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.Solar panels in parking lots can generate electrical power to charge batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and offer a new sustainable energy pathway that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly, reduce the use and price of petroleum, and result in more energy efficient transportation. An infrastructure of solar powered charge stations where people work, dine, shop, and relax will help advance the market penetration of EVs and PHEVs. For the past three years NSF-supported undergraduate students have participated in visioning efforts to investigate the potential feasibility of using parking lots as locations to generate electric power with solar panels, charge plug-in electric vehicles, and enjoy the social benefits of shaded parking . In the "White Paper on Solar Powered Charge Stations with Shaded Parking," social value, environmental considerations and economic aspects are included in order to look at several aspects that are important for good decisions. The cost of petroleum now and in the future, air quality impacts of combustion on health in urban centers, greenhouse gas emissions, dynamics of electrical power, transmission costs associated with electrical power, the desire to have full employment, balance of payments with other countries, value of shade, and value of a positive image are considered.

Papers and Articles

2014 Summer Research Papers on Solar Powered Charge Stations

• Business Models for Solar Powered Charging Stations to Develop Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles. Jessie Robinson, Gary Brase, Wendy Griswold, Chad Jackson, Larry Erickson (Kansas State University), October 2014.
• Kansas State 2025 Sustainability Strategic Action Plan and Solar Powered Charging Stations. Tyler Wagner, University of Notre Dame, July 2014.
• Batteries in Electric Vehicles (EVs), Aaron Burkey, Ohio University, July 2014.
• Impact of Increased Use of Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) on U.S. and Global CO2 Emissions. Karla Morrissey, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, July 2014.
• Solar Powered Charge Stations: Kansas State University Survey Results. Jessica Robinson, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, July 2014.
• U.N. Sustainable Development Goals in Relation to Solar Powered Charge Stations. Blake Ronnebaum, Kansas State University, July 2014.

K-State News Release, October 24, 2012: Electric research: Grant to help develop solar-powered charging stations for plug-in vehicles. Black & Veatch, a foundation for engineering and construction firm has awarded Kansas State University a $200,000 grant to help develop solar-powered charging stations for electric and hybrid vehicles.

L.E. Erickson, T. Boguski, M.W. Babcock, B.A. Leven, A. Pahwa, G.L. Brase,
W. Griswold, K. Kramer, and R.D. Miller. (2012). Community Infrastructure for the Electrification of Transportation. Submitted, The 5th Annual Growing Sustainable Communities Conference - Midwestern Region.

E. Chan, L.E. Erickson, T.K. Boguski, B.A. Leven, B. Natarajan. (2012). Solar Powered Charge Stations: LCA Thinking. Submitted, LCA XII.

Erickson, L.E. 2011. Third Report on the Installation of Shaded Parking Lot Structures with Integrated Photovoltaic Power Systems at Kansas State University, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.

White Paper on Solar Powered Charge Stations with Shaded Parking.

Industry/University Cooperative Research Center.

This Internet site has been developed to support efforts to advance the concept of solar powered charge stations with shaded parking.