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Biosphere 2 goes solar, receives hefty donation

By Som Lisaius,

When the University of Arizona took over Biosphere 2 two years ago, the idea was to enhance the university's research capabilities.  And that's what scientists have been doing here, studying climate change sustainable living and alternative forms of energy.

Today, that trend continues with the donation of 500 photovoltaic modules--or solar panels--that will provide some 50 kilowatts of power to the facility.

"In response to what we know about climate change we're starting to manage the facility in a much more responsible way," says Biosphere 2 Sustainability Coordinator Nathan Allen.

"Global Solar makes the thin film cells and Solon Corporation assembles them into a large module," says UA Physics professor Alexander Cronin.  "And as a unit, it's very robust and can be set up on rooftops or used in different processes like this."

In addition to energizing part of the campus, Solon's 230 thousand dollar donation lends itself to further research as well.

"I think we still need to learn," Cronin says.  "How does this technology perform in different environments? What does the energy yield out here on this ridge and what will the energy yield be in downtown Tucson?"

With a simple, self-priming pump, Cronin shows us how the modules instantaneously convert sunlight into energy.

"And it also runs at different speeds depending on how much sunlight you're providing to the panel," he says.

This sort of demonstration is also important in educating the public.  Solar power isn't nearly as expensive as it used to be.  And if it's put into practice here, it can also be implemented on a much smaller scale at your home or business.

"This is a way that we can demonstrate for everyone that solar is viable," Allen says.