The first annual Solar District Cup is a collegiate competition hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and U.S. department of energy. The competition aims to introduce students to the renewable energy and solar industry through design, analysis, and testing of photovoltaic systems for a designated University. This year, the Northern Arizona University team is comprised of both a mechanical and electrical sub-team assigned to the New Mexico State University Campus. Throughout the course of the competition, the electrical team will be performing a comprehensive system analysis using a model of the university’s distribution system in OpenDSS, and battery sizing, analysis, and optimization in ReOpt Lite. The entire team must submit two deliverable packets, one of which being completed and sent in for review in December. After progressing to the final competition and conference in April, we must now complete our system models and complete our final deliverable packet which will include the above information as well as an impact analysis, financial analysis, and development plan reports.
