SolarBuild
XXXVIII
Solar
Power for Low-Income Houstonians
A NSBE-HSC Community Engineering Project in
partnership with
Houston Habitat for Humanity’s SuperBuild XXXVIII, an
officially sanctioned event of SuperBowl XXXVIII
The Problem
Many families in Houston are unable to cope with the
expenses of food, shelter, and power.
The Center for Housing Policy reports that more than one out of ten of
Houston’s moderate-income, working families live in inadequate housing. Congressman Gene Green (D-TX, 29th District)
states that in 2001, almost 60,000 families in Houston had their power cut off,
while only 14,443 in the entire state of Texas received cooling assistance.
Without power, air conditioners cannot operate, a potentially fatal condition
during Houston summers. Further, even in
homes with power, low-income families have been known to shut off the air
conditioner to save money. (Fans are a
poor substitute for air conditioners, as they are ineffective when the
temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity exceeds 35 percent -
in other words, during a normal
The
The
NSBE
The NASA Vision: To improve life here, to extend life there, to find life beyond.
It is the vision of NSBE-HSC to define a new level of community service that will allow us to apply the full extent of our engineering talents to the purpose of improving the quality of life in our community. We can make a difference, lessen the severity of this problem, and advance both the vision of NASA and the mission of NSBE.
The Solution
Many programs exist to assist low to moderate-income families with expenses related to food. Habitat for Humanity is perhaps the greatest example of a program to assist such families with shelter. However, very little assistance exists for the last major home expense – power. The Houston Space Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, whose membership is composed of NASA civil servants and contractors, will partner with Houston Habitat for Humanity, providing energy relief for deserving families. NSBE-HSC will assemble and install solar-power systems on the rooftops of newly constructed homes in Houston Habitat for Humanity’s SuperBuild community. An officially sanctioned project of Super Bowl XXXVIII, SuperBuild is a project to build 38 homes in the symbolic 38 days leading up to and including Super Bowl Sunday. The homes are located in the Wood Glen subdivision in northeast Houston and in the Greensbrook subdivision, located just inside the northeast corner of Beltway 8, in Harris County.
Community education will accompany this project. As the solar power systems are installed, NSBE members will educate the new residents about solar power systems, as well as about educational opportunities for their children. An ongoing monitoring program will provide these families with quarterly visits from NSBE members to answer any questions about their solar power systems and to monitor savings achieved by the devices.
This project will bring space-age technology to those who need it most. At best, our actions may reduce illness and possibly save lives. At the very least, it will increase the comfort and quality of life for the SuperBuild residents. It will further demonstrate the application and usefulness of space technology for life on Earth and will raise the level of awareness concerning renewable energy.
How Can I Help?
There are four main areas where we need chapter members to help (and you can help in more than one area if you'd like).
This subcommittee has developed a preliminary design concept for a 2.5 kW grid-tied solar power system. While minor work remains to be completed, particularly in partnership with our two engineering consulting partners, Conservation Services Group and Southwest Photovoltaic, the design work is largely complete. This subcommittee will provide training for members of other subcommittees and will provide overall project management.
Preliminary estimates suggest this endeavor will cost roughly $15,000 per home, implying an overall SolarBuild coast nearing $600,000. Obviously, we aren't going to be covering that cost with chapter dues and dinners. We're going after contracts, grants, partnerships with solar power companies, charitable contributions, and any other source of financial or in-kind support. This subcommittee’s work begins now, preparing and distributing grant and contract proposals, solicitation packets, and other communications to potential sponsors.
SolarBuild is clearly a story in progress that needs to be told. This subcommittee will work with NASA and Contractor public affairs offices to publicize what we are doing, and will also help the Fundraising Subcomittee to establish partnerships with NASA or Contractor organizations and relevant businesses.
We need engineers and non-engineers who are interested in helping us assemble and install thirty-eight solar power systems. We will provide training, so do not think you need a background in solar power systems to join this subcommittee. We will teach you what you need to know and will guide you every step of the way. We are also calling on the collegiate and high school NSBE chapters in the city to join us on this subcommittee, making SolarBuild a true community project.
Join the Solar Power Committee Today!
Chapter Programs * Return Home
NSBE National Website * NSBE Alumni Extension * NSBE Region 5 Alumni Extension