In an era where renewable resources are gaining increasing prominence and support from government authorities, educational institutions are stepping up to incorporate these sustainable technologies into their campuses. North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) has taken a proactive approach by installing solar panels and a wind tower, not only to generate clean energy but also to offer valuable learning opportunities to its students. These installations serve as practical tools for students to gain hands-on experience in installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of renewable energy systems. Let's delve deeper into the significance and impact of these initiatives at NDSCS.

Enhancing Learning Through Renewable Energy

Ivan Maas, Chairman of the Building Systems Department at NDSCS, shares that the integration of solar panels and a wind tower has greatly enhanced the learning experience for NDSCS students. “By providing exposure to renewable energy from an installation and troubleshooting perspective, students become proficient in assisting with the setup of such equipment. This practical experience equips them with valuable skills that align with the growing demand for renewable energy professionals.”

Installation and Gifting of Solar Panels

NDSCS boasts multiple solar arrays on its campus. The first array, a 3.5KW installation, was placed on a dual-axis tracker in 2011-12. It was purchased using a Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant and installed by Enterprise Sales from Valley City, ND. Recently, this array was upgraded to IQ-7+ micro inverters from Enphase, improving its efficiency and allowing direct integration with the NDSCS power grid.

Arrays #2 and #3, each with a capacity of 1.3KW, were also purchased in 2011-12 through the CTE grant. These arrays were installed on a ground-mounted framework built for student accessibility. The DC power generated by these arrays is fed into Barnard Hall, where it is converted into AC power using a Fronius IG inverter before being integrated into the power grid. In 2020-21, NDSCS added another solar array, known as Array #4, with a capacity of 4.4KW. This installation was funded by the NDSCS Electrical Department and installed by Scott's Electric in Wahpeton, ND, under guidance from Lightspring in Bismarck, ND.

The Future Impact of Solar and Wind Technology

Maas believes that wind energy might see limited growth in the residential and light commercial sectors due to initial high costs, maintenance challenges, and grid interconnectivity issues. However, large-scale wind turbine utilization is expected to continue growing steadily. On the other hand, solar energy is predicted to experience high demand and substantial growth. Solar power's predictability and dependability, coupled with the simplicity of maintenance and absence of moving parts, make it an attractive renewable energy option. Maas mentions that solar "farms" will be installed near existing distribution resources, power plants, and wind turbine installations. Some states, like California since 2020, have even enacted laws mandating solar installations on every new home.

Both private individuals and corporations are increasingly opting for solar installations to reduce their reliance on the electrical grid and minimize their carbon footprint.

Understanding Solar Panel Output

Solar panels come in various sizes and power outputs. Small panels with outputs ranging from 15 to 50 watts are suitable for charging small devices in outdoor settings. Residential and commercial panels typically range from 250 to 500 watts each. Multiple panels can be electrically wired together to form a solar array, while large installations with multiple arrays are often referred to as solar "farms." The output of a panel depends on its voltage and current ratings, which must be matched to the specific application for proper and safe operation.

Impact on Higher Education

Maas shares his thoughts on the future collaborations between renewable energy and higher education:

“I don’t know how many campuses have solar generation capability. It will vary greatly by state and region. My guess is that a very small percentage today have renewable sources/assets and it would be very rare to have their entire electrical power needs coming from renewables (solar/wind/etc.).”

“I believe there are not many colleges teaching solar classes. Some may include discussions in renewable energy but very few (like NDSCS) feature full-fledged installation practices. The most widely known training center (nationally) for solar installations is North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). NABCEP Certifications are very highly respected and recognized nation-wide. Regionally, several colleges in Minnesota have some instruction in solar installation since Minnesota has aspired to be more proactive on renewable energy production/consumption than other states.”

Article written by NDSCS. 

North Dakota State College of Science will celebrate its 100th Anniversary of Electrical Technology education in 2023! To recognize this milestone, a celebration will be held May 12-13, 2023, on the NDSCS campus in Wahpeton, N.D. All electrical alumni and those from programs housed in Barnard Hall are invited to participate in this event. A special section will be reserved for those returning for the reunion during the graduation ceremony at 3:00 p.m. on May 12. In addition, the weekend will include a Friday evening social, a Saturday night banquet with entertainment, Saturday campus tours, and family-friendly events.

For more information, to register, or volunteer for the weekend, please contact the NDSCS Alumni Foundation at 701-671-2247, email NDSCS.alumni@ndscs.edu, or visit the website at www.NDSCSalumni.com/Electrical-Reunion. Reserve your hotel room by April 12, 2023, and be sure to mention NDSCS Electrical Reunion. Hotel accommodations are also listed on the website.

We would like to thank the following business sponsors: North American Coal, Coyote Creek Mine, Falkirk Mine and Freedom Mine, Expanse Electrical Co., JDP Electric Inc., Otter Tail Power Company, Encore Electric, Xcel Energy, A&K Development Company, Cass County Electric Cooperative, Electric Utility Workshop, Parsons Electric, Scott’s Electric, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bergstrom Electric, H&H Electric, Lake Region Electric Co-op and Operation Round-Up, Lesco, Inc., Montana Dakota Utilities, North Central Electrical League, Inc., Summerville Electric, Border States Electric, Central Power Electric Cooperatives Inc., Dakota Valley Rural Electric Co-op, Eagle Lake Electric, Gary & Son Electric Service, Inc., International Association of Electrical Inspectors, North Central Electrical Engineering Society, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Co-op (NDAREC), and Northern Plains Electric Cooperative.

Return to NDSCS, join your fellow alumni, and celebrate this great program, facility, and milestone!

Fun facts: Other things that are 100 years old – the automatic watch, the bulldozer, instant cameras, cotton swabs, and the 3-light traffic signals.

The NDSCS Electrical Technology Department will celebrate its 95-year history during the College’s Homecoming week. All-class reunion events will take place Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29, 2018.

Information and registration for the events is available online at ndscsalumni.com, along with historical information about the NDSCS Electrical Technology program. The reunion events will include:
• 95-Year Electrical Technology Celebration Open House:
  Friday, September 28 from 3-5 p.m. in Barnard Hall
• Electrical Reunion Continental Breakfast with Instructors:
  Saturday, September 29 at 8 a.m. in the Hughes Shelter at Chahinkapa Park
• Electrical Reunion Alumni Social:
  Saturday, September 29 from 3-5 p.m. in the Hughes Shelter at Chahinkapa Park

NDSCS Electrical Technology classes began in 1923, and the program continues to be designed to give students the skills necessary for successful employment in the electrical industry. Additional information about the NDSCS Electrical Technology program can be found online at ndscs.edu/electrical.

Students from the North Dakota State College of Science received a number of awards at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held in Bismarck this spring. By achieving gold medals at the state level, 14 of these students qualified to compete in their respective categories at the national SkillsUSA Championships, which will be held in Louisville, Ky. in June.

The NDSCS students who received gold, silver or bronze medals at the state competition include:

COLORADO
Evans: Jessica Starkey, Motorcycle Service Technology, Silver

MINNESOTA
Cottage Grove: Alex Johnson, Welding, Silver
Fergus Falls: Jared Christenson, Electrical Construction Wiring, Silver; Richard Grimm, Welding Fabrication, Gold; Mason Tell, Automotive Service Technology, Bronze; Jared Wick, Culinary Arts, Bronze
Frazee: Ryan Bade, Collision Repair Technology, Gold
Moorhead: Chantel Hamann, Power Equipment Technology, Gold
Sartell: Cole Moritz, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Spring Grove: Mitchell Anderson, Welding Fabrication, Gold
Wheaton: Brayden Lampe, Welding Fabrication, Gold

MONTANA
Sidney: Sean Lofthus, Welding Sculpture, Silver

NORTH DAKOTA
Argusville: Noah Trangsrud, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Bismarck: Tony DaSilva, Welding Sculpture, Bronze
Cando: Larry MacDonald, Automotive Service Technology, Silver
Des Lacs: Jonathan Fritel, CNC Technician, Gold
Dickinson: Shelby Kilwein, Diesel Equipment Technology, Bronze
Fargo: Joe Brunner, Culinary Arts, Gold; Chandler Rheault, Welding Sculpture, Gold
Grafton: Justin Simon, Welding, Gold
Jamestown: Kyle Schumacher, Automotive Service Technology, Gold
Lisbon: Cassie Witte, Culinary Arts, Silver
Marion: Greg Lahlum, Diesel Equipment Technology, Gold
New Rockford: Colten Schafer, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Rugby: Kurt Pfau, Diesel Equipment Technology, Silver
Strasburg: Trent Mattern, Motorcycle Service Technology, Gold
Valley City: Brandon Compson, CNC Turning Specialist, Gold
Williston: Ryan Hellen, Electrical Construction Wiring, Gold; Cullen Weigel, Electrical Construction Wiring, Bronze

SOUTH DAKOTA:
Herreid: Josh Orth, Motorcycle Service Technology, Bronze

The North Dakota State College of Science Electrical Technology Department will commemorate Careers in Energy Week October 17-21, 2016.

NDSCS will be hosting industry speakers to inform its students about various aspects of the energy industry, including electrical contracting, industry codes and wind generation.

High school students considering an energy-related career can learn about the NDSCS Electrical Technology program, as well as other programs offered at NDSCS, during Discovery Days on October 20 or 21. Further information about Discovery Days can be found online at ndscs.edu/specialevent.

The public is invited to view displays celebrating Careers in Energy Week at the NDSCS Mildred Johnson Library throughout the week of October 17-21.

Careers in Energy Week is part of a nationwide effort to promote awareness of energy careers and future workforce needs. NDSCS is a member of the Dakota Energy Workforce Consortium, a partnership of colleges and electric and gas/electric utilities in North Dakota and South Dakota, which is leading state and local efforts. To learn more about National Careers in Energy Week, visit getintoenergy.com. Learn more about the NDSCS Electrical Technology program at ndscs.edu/electrical.