1. 10/6/2010University at Buffalo | Justin Achard, Brian Ivanic, David Pels, Jeffery Scipioni, Christopher Sudek, Michael TasevskiGroup 20Economical Solar Energycentercenter<br />Table of Contents<br />Introduction……………....……………………………………………………3<br />Problem Statement………………………………………………………….4<br />Customer Requirements……………………………………….………….5<br />Engineering Specs……………………………………………………………6<br />House of Quality..……………………………………………………………..7<br />References………………………………………………………………………..8<br />Introduction<br />The idea that light energy can be converted into electrical power dates back to the mid 1800s. It took another half century until a working cell was created even though it was only about 1% efficient, and it took another half century until an efficient cell was created in 1946. Since then the technology has been drastically improved to where there are now used commonly. Many homes are using solar panels for water heaters and electricity. Satellites rely on solar panels as their permanent power source. Although the technology is being integrated into everyday uses, it still needs refinement. The size necessary to generate useable power is still quite large. Location also creates issues with limited sunlight and lower temperatures, many regions of the planet cannot benefit from solar technology. Hopefully with improved technology solar panels can become a large source of energy.<br />Problem Statement<br />Problem Statement:<br />Solar panel technology produces no harmful chemicals & is a renewable source of energy that currently is being underutilized. The world needs to focus on integrating convenient solar power to the electrical energy consumers.<br />Customer Groups:<br />According to Residential Energy Services Network, residential and commercial consumers use roughly 70% of electricity generated. Therefore, integrating solar energy into commercial and residential areas would provide a large customer group as well as providing the customers with a way of reducing energy consumption.<br />Regional Considerations<br />For optimal efficiency when harnessing solar power the location should provide sunlight for the majority of days. Therefore, customers living in regions with a higher percentage of days with sunlight should be targeted. <br />Customer Requirements<br />Customer Requirements are phrases customers use to describe products and product characteristics. The Customer requirements that we used are listed below.<br />Appealing - The customer wants something that has a creative aesthetical feel<br /> that looks like it blends in seamlessly with its surrounds.<br />Size - The product has to fit into its surrounds without compromising any space or <br />being a burden.<br />Easily Maintained - The customer requires a system in which the parts that may <br />wear or need replacement be easily assessable in both the product and available <br />to purchase.<br />Low Cost - The system ideally won’t have a running cost so it should be able to pay <br />itself off far quicker than its life span.<br />Ease of use - The product has to be easily deployed and function at a level that can<br /> be understood without a high level of knowledge.<br />Efficiency - The way the system works has to be able to capture the suns energy <br />and convert it to useful electrical energy so that minimal power is lost.<br />Longevity - The customer wants a product that will last as long as they need it to <br />so the startup costs are a fraction of the savings.<br />Reliable Power - The system needs to always be providing power and have no <br />downtime as long as the energy is available.<br />Engineering Specifications<br />Engineering Specifications are phrases engineers use to describe products and product characteristics that include applications that are based on the customer requirements. The Engineering Specifications that we used are listed below.<br />Increase Power Output – By increasing the output, the consumer’s ability to run more electrical devices at the same time increases. <br />Minimize Components – When minimizing components the overall size of the product will decrease, and the product will be more likely to have less mechanical issues during its lifetime. <br />Size Efficiency – Trying to minimize the size of the product and still receive an efficient power source. <br />Configuration for Easy Maintenance - Trying to produce a product that would be easy to maintain, almost “install and forget”. Maintenance would consist of basic cleaning that an average consumer is more than capable of.<br />Tracking Capability – Keeps the product perpendicular to the direction of the sun in order to maximize power output.<br />Adaptive Implementation – Makes the product able to be integrated into multiple scenarios and placements.<br />Material – Pick the most durable, yet efficient for the product, one of the major properties driving the cost of the product.<br />Operating Cost – How much the product will be to maintain and run.<br />Storage Capabilities – The way the product will store energy.<br />House of Quality<br />References<br />Bill Gross on New Energy. TED: Ideas worth Spreading. Feb. 2009. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. <br /><http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/bill_gross_on_new_energy.html>.<br />Brahic, Catherine. quot;
Affordable Solar Power Brings Light to India - Environment - 29 April 2007 <br />- New Scientist.quot;
New Scientist. 29 Apr. 2007. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. <br /><http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11740-affordable-solar-power-brings-light-to-<br />india.html>.<br />quot;
Environmental and Energy Efficiency Trading.quot;
Residential Energy Services Network. Web. 06 <br />Oct. 2010. <http://www.resnet.us/trading>.<br />Lewis, Nathan S. quot;
Toward Cost-Effective Solar Energy Use.quot;
Science/AAAS. 9 Feb. 2007. Web. <br />06 Oct. 2010. <http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/315/5813/798>.<br />quot;
Practice Makes Perfect.quot;
EVjump. 2010. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. <br /><http://www.evjump.com/Products/index.html>.<br />