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Posted November 30, 2011.
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Rooftop Solar Potential of Southwestern University: LiDAR application to Solar Mapping
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GIS model developed for siting of solar photovoltaics on SU rooftops -
A GIS map showing the levels of flooding that took place in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. -
A simple map of SU Campus made in Into GIS course -
Map using US Census data to show percentages of household in Texas receiving food stamps. -
The GIS Lab in Smith Library Center -
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Growth and Urbanization of the Mississippi River Delta
Senior environmental studies major Ben Parafina won third place in the student poster competition that was held as part of the annual meeting of the Southwestern Division of the Association of American Geographers (SWAAG) held Nov. 10-11 at UT-Austin.
Parafina did a study using GIS and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to estimate how the use photovoltaics placed on rooftops across campus could potentially provide a significant source of on-site energy. He presented this study in a student poster competition at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Division of the Association of American Geographers (SWAAG) held Nov. 10-11 at UT-Austin.
He presented the poster titled “Rooftop Solar Potential of Southwestern University: LiDAR application to Solar Mapping.” Southwestern University is one of the highest rated campuses for sustainability according the College Sustainability Report by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. Thanks to student efforts over 90% of the Universities energy comes from wind power and the school has reduced building energy consumption through energy management systems, building metering, and light sensors. Photovoltaics could potentially further offset Southwestern’s energy usage. Previous studies on campus have studied the effectiveness of single Photovoltaic cells, but not for the entire campus. Widespread use of Photovoltaics across campus could potentially provide a significant source of on- site energy. This study uses LiDAR and GIS to estimate the solar potential of the Southwestern Campus rooftops and aid in development plans for continued sustainability.
