TOPOGRAPHIC AND HYDROLOGIC CONTROLS FOR ALTERNATE ENERGY INSTALLATIONS

The Virginia Center for Basic and Applied Science (CBAS,INC) constructed one building on a tree-free hill (plant research) and another adjacent to the lower end of a lake in a heavily forested valley (fish research). Both are designed as off-the-grid (self powered) facilities. The hilltop building is "green" (15,000 cu.ft. open interior, fans, well insulated, large double-pane windows, low-watt lights, sun-screen eaves, wood stove, staff living and research rooms) for solar panel electrical power. The lake-side building is smaller (1,500 cu.ft.) but similar in design, for hydroturbine electrical power. The solar power system can generate 3-4 kilowatt hours/day (8 panels, charge controller, 8 deep-cycle batteries, DC-to-AC inverter, 110-to-220 AC transformer), and is at its best during sunny days. For best performance, topographic placement is critical (requires south-facing hillside with maximum dawn-to-dusk sunshine). The hydroturbine system, though smaller in per-hour capacity, runs day and night in all weather, and can also generate 3-4 kilowatt hours/day. For best performance, maximum watershed size is critical (current system collects water from 600+ acres).