August 2002 • NREL/TP-820-32169 Assessment of the DOE/NREL Historically Black College and University Photovoltaic Research Associates Program F. Posey Eddy and R. McConnell National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle • Bechtel Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 August 2002 • NREL/TP-820-32169 Assessment of the DOE/NREL Historically Black College and University Photovoltaic Research Associates Program F. Posey Eddy and R. McConnell Prepared under Task No. PVP2.2601 National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1617 Cole Boulevard Golden, Colorado 80401-3393 NREL is a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle • Bechtel Contract No. DE-AC36-99-GO10337 NOTICE This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. 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Box 62 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0062 phone: 865.576.8401 fax: 865.576.5728 email: [email protected] Available for sale to the public, in paper, from: U.S. Department of Commerce National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 phone: 800.553.6847 fax: 703.605.6900 email: [email protected] online ordering: http://www.ntis.gov/ordering.htm Printed on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste Contents Summary....................................................................................................................................1 Introduction................................................................................................................................1 Accomplishments.......................................................................................................................3 Texas Southern University.............................................................................................3 Wilberforce University ..................................................................................................4 Mississippi Valley State University...............................................................................4 Clark Atlanta University................................................................................................5 Central State University.................................................................................................5 Southern University .......................................................................................................7 Hampton University.......................................................................................................8 Howard University.........................................................................................................9 North Carolina Central State University........................................................................9 Program Highlights..................................................................................................................10 Lessons Learned.......................................................................................................................10 Conclusions..............................................................................................................................12 Appendix............................................................................................................................... A-1 iii Assessment of the DOE/NREL Historically Black College and University Photovoltaic Research Associates Program Fannie Posey Eddy and Robert D. McConnell Office of Education Programs and Center for Basic Sciences National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, Colorado 80401 Summary This small but remarkable program directly affected dozens of minority undergraduate students in ways that changed many of their lives. Indirectly, the program impacted thousands of young high school and undergraduate students as a result of many renewable energy outreach projects. The progress and accomplishments of the undergraduates were monitored and assessed through their presentations at an annual NREL-sponsored Historically Black College and University (HBCU) conference. Although the funding was small, typically $400,000 per year, the money made a significant impact. The best students sometimes went on to the nation’s top graduate schools (e.g., MIT) or important management positions in large companies. Other students had opportunities to learn how renewable energy could positively affect their lives and their neighbors’ lives. A few were lucky enough to install photovoltaic (PV) lighting and water- pumping systems in Africa, and to see and feel firsthand the technical and emotional benefits of this technology for families and villages. Two of the schools, Texas Southern University and Central State University, were particularly successful in leveraging their DOE/NREL funding to obtain additional funding for expanded programs. This assessment describes the activities funded at nine HBCUs beginning in 1995. The PV projects involved laboratory research, solar resource measurements, system studies, architecture, and field projects in Africa. Some projects involved other renewable energy technologies or other energy-related technologies as dictated by expertise of the HBCU principal investigator. Because of this program’s successes, we recommend a continuation and expansion of this program to include all minority-serving colleges and universities and all solar energy technologies in the DOE Office of Solar Energy Technologies. This expansion would allow Hispanic and Native American schools and students to be included along with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Expanding the program to other solar energy technologies will provide more solar energy project opportunities, beyond just photovoltaic projects. Even more specifically, one part of this program could help provide needed and valuable solar resource data over much of the United States through a network of minority institutions collecting such data. Introduction The National Photovoltaics Program Plan for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), published in January 2000, calls for an assessment in 2002 of its program for funding undergraduate students at the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Since 1995, DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have funded nine HBCUs in its 1 HBCU Photovoltaic Research Associates Program. The program’s purpose was to provide funding directly to outstanding undergraduate students (the PV research associates) for their studies and to encourage their knowledge of photovoltaics through research and outreach projects. Typically, each school’s project supported one to three students per year under the guidance of a professor, although many other students often became involved either directly (when a research associate was replaced) or indirectly (as a result of research associate renewable energy activities). Two sets of 3-year contracts were awarded as a result of requests for proposals from the HBCUs. The total annual funding for all the universities was approximately $300,000, with an additional $100,000 annually for a summer internship program and summer outreach activities. Annual funding to each school ranged from $20,000 (supporting one associate) to $60,000 per year (supporting three). The contracted HBCUs and performance periods were: Central State University (1995–2002) Clark Atlanta University (1995–2002) Hampton University (1995–2002) Howard University (1998–2002) Mississippi Valley State University (1995–2002) North Carolina Central State University (1998–2002) Southern University and A&M (1995–2002) Texas Southern University (1995–2002) Wilberforce University (1995–1998) The PV projects involved laboratory research, solar resource measurements, system studies, architecture, and field projects in Africa. Some schools included community education outreach projects during the school year or during the summer. The students were encouraged each summer to continue developing their skills by working in a renewable energy-related field as a summer intern at NREL, another university, another research laboratory, or a renewable energy company. Beginning in August 1999, the HBCU advisors, students, and NREL professionals participated in an annual Renewable Energy Academic Partnership (REAP) review meeting and conference to discuss and share their research progress, future opportunities, and the national