NASEO State Project Highlights

Alabama's Dauphin Island Sea Lab Benefits From SEP Grant

A lab that studies one natural resource, the sea, is harnessing another resource, sunlight, to power several of its facilities.  The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), Alabama’s marine science education and research laboratory, recently installed two photovoltaic systems.  The systems were funded in part by a State Energy Program (SEP) grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affair's Energy Division.
 
DISL retrofitted its Shelby Building research building with a 20kW photovoltaic system  and installed a 49.2 kW photovoltaic system to supply electricity to the Discovery and Endeavor classrooms.  The solar projects are the largest public solar power projects in Alabama.  The campus anticipates the panels will supply all necessary electrical power to the classrooms, saving an estimated $14,500 per year in energy costs.
 
“As the state’s only marine science institution, the Sea Lab has long been a destination for Alabama students seeking to learn more about the ocean and sea life,” Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said. “Soon the lab can offer an additional learning experience to students who wish to observe and study the technology and benefits of solar power.”