478 Presentation Solar panels

HSCI 478: Environmental Health Management
November 10, 2016
George Gonzales Jesus Ramos
Danica Leon Vanessa Reyes
Heather Melendez Rodney Tolosa
CSUSB PARKING LOT
SOLAR CARPORTS
Environmental Impact Report

Project Description
Location: CSU San Bernardino - Parking Lot N
34°11'05.2"N
117°19'20.2"W

Project Description
Abbot Labs Solar
Alameda, California

Project Description
Canadian Solar Quartech MaxPower CS6X-315P
315W Poly SLV/WHT 1000V Solar Panel
Mechanical Data and Components:
Module Technology: Poly
Cells Per Module: 72
Module Frame Material: Clear
Aluminum
Module Backsheet Material: White
Module Connector: MC4
Module Output Cables: PV Wire
Electrical Characteristics:
Module Watts STC: 315 Watts
Module Watts PTC: 288.00 Watts
Max Power Voltage (Vmpp): 36.60
Volts
Max Power Current (Impp): 8.61 Amps
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 45.10
Volts
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 9.18 Amps
Max System Voltage: 1000.00 Volts
Series Fuse Rating: 15 Amps
Module Efficiency: 16.42%

Project Description
Lot N Solar Carport
7 Acres
1300 Parking Spaces
11000 Solar Panels
3250kW or 3.25 MW
4.7GWh Annually
Total on-site generation on campus 2007-2013
Currently CSUSB generates 1.2MW
from solar energy

Project Description
Health and Physical Education
2007
150kW

Project Description
Physical Education 2007
150kW

Project Description
College of Education 2010
250kW

Project Description
Corporation Yard 2010
750kW

Project Description
2 Wind Turbines
2011
4.8kW

Project Description
Direct Fuel Cell - 2012
1.4MW

Project Description
3 Stages of Construction
2 Months per stage
Total 6 months
Construction Date
April-September

Environmental Setting
-Location
-Climate
-Wildlife
-Community

Environmental Impacts
Potential Environmental Impact Phase Environmental
Significance
Short term/long term
Aesthetic Aspects
Construction will be visible Acquisition/development Low Short term
equipment left Development Low Short term
visual impacts (blocking) Development Low Short term
Possible glare Operation Low Long term
Agricultural resources
recently built parking lot All Low Long term
Air quality
air quality conflict (dust) Acquisition/development Low Short term
emission from equipment used Acquisition/development Moderate Short term

Environmental Impacts cont..
Biological impacts
Wild life disturbances Acquisition/development Moderate Short term
Cultural resources
N/A
Energy, geology, & soils
soil contamination n/a n/a n/a
Hazardous/toxic materials
Transport/use Hazardous
material
Operation Low Long term
Hydrology/water quality
Possible water contamination Operation Low Long term

Environmental Impacts cont.
Land use
Increased sediment load in
runoff
Construction Moderate Short term
Pollution Construction Low Short term
Mineral resources
n/a
Noise
Temporary noise increase Construction Low Short term
Public services
Self-generated clean energy Operation Moderate Long term
Recreation
n/a
Transportation/traffic
Temporary closed parking All Moderate Short term
Traffic All Moderate Short term

Significant Environmental Impacts
Aesthetics
- possible adverse effects on scenic vista
of the San Bernardino Mountains that
reside behind campus
-production of new sources of light and
glare may arise due to the southward
facing solar panels
-may affect Colleges of Education,
Chemical and Biological Sciences

Significant Environmental Impacts
con.
Hazardous/ Toxic Materials
-Chemical exposure during routine
maintenance
-Zinc-Bromine flow Batteries: Risk
potential only in the highly unlikely
incidence of a battery leakage or fire

Mitigation Measures
Aesthetic: Effects of the visible carport & glare do not outweigh the benefits of the carports, due to the
environmental efficiency and financial reduction for the college, and the benefit for students, by having weather
reductions of heat and rain affecting their cars.
Agriculture: No significant adverse or beneficial effects are determined to involve agricultural resources.
Air Quality: Adverse short-term effects: Particulates to the air will be generated during construction. Adverse
long-term effects: N/A
Biological Resources: Adverse short-term effect: Minimal; Adverse long-term effects: N/A

Mitigation Measures
Cultural/Historical Resource: No significant adverse effects are determined to involve cultural or historical
resources.
Geology and Soils: Adverse short-term effects: Construction efforts may cause disturbances in the geology of
the area. Adverse long-term effects: N/A
Hazardous/Toxic Materials: Short-term significant hazard through the routine transport, use, or disposal of
hazardous materials.
Title 49 of the CFR Hazardous Materials Safety strict regulations for the safe transportation
No long-term adverse effects after the construction is complete.
Potential effects from solar panel batteries: Zinc-bromine flow batteries will be used to create the battery storage
system for the solar carports.
Adverse short-term and long-term effects/impacts have low potential for leaks or fire.
The system is to be properly contained and protected as well as monitored to ensure safety compliance with the
hazardous materials in the battery that is involved.

Mitigation Measures
Land Use and Planning: The solar carports are intended to be of permanent use. Adverse short-term
effects/impacts: N/A; The solar carports are intended to be of permanent use.
Adverse short-term effects: N/A; Adverse long-term effects: N/A
Mineral Resources: Mineral resources are not affected by this project. Adverse short-term effects/impacts:
N/A; Adverse long-term effects/impacts: N/A
Noise and Vibration: Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Noises generated by construction of the solar
carports. Adverse long-term effects: N/A
Population Growth and Housing: Short-term effect may directly or indirectly induce population growth
during construction. During the construction period, workers are expected on the site during periods of peak
construction. Adverse long-term effect: N/A
Public Health/Hazards: Adverse short-term effects: Battery damage or malfunction through chemical
leaks may occur but highly unlikely. No significant adverse effect is determined as long as the battery is safely
stored and protected.

Mitigation Measures
Hydrology/Water Quality: Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Minimal; Adverse long-term effects/impacts:
No significant adverse effects determined by the potential battery leak, which is unlikely to occur with proper
maintenance.
Public Services/Utilities: Adverse short-term effects: N/A; Adverse long-term effects: N/A
Recreation Services: The solar carport project is not intended to be used for any recreational purposes. Adverse
short-term effects: N/A; Adverse long-term effects: N/A
Transportation/Traffic: Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Traffic to occur during transportation of equipment and
vehicles intended for use in construction. Parking is also temporarily closed in construction area. Adverse long-term effects:
N/A
Floodplains: Potential effects: N/A The project does not involve floodplains directly. Adverse short-term effects: N/A
Wetlands : Adverse short-term effects/impacts: N/A; Adverse long-term effects/impacts: N/A
Natural resources (timber, fish, wildlife, water-bodies or aquifers): This project does not encroach upon
any natural resources. Adverse short-term effects: N/A; Adverse long-term effects: N/A.

Alternatives to the Proposed
Project
Solar Thermal Roofs
Solar Roof Shingles

Solar Thermal Roofs
•More inexpensive and time-tested
•4 times more effective
•Uses sun’s energy and transfers it to power
•Mechanically more simpler
•Lower long-term maintenance costs
•Savings depend on your location, utility costs, efficiency upgrades, and
other factors
•Need a relatively large, unobstructed south-facing roof which can work
for a parking lot roof

Solar Roof Shingles
•Look like regular shingle roofs but transformed into an energy producer
•Hybrid shingles that double as a roof shingle that protects the roof from
weather and other things as well as taking the power of the sun and
turning it into usable electricity
•Have photovoltaic cells which have material called semiconductors
made by silicon
•Light hits the solar shingles and the light is captured in the silicon
semiconductors which now contains energy.

Solar Roof Shingles
•Energy moves freely upon the photovoltaic cell’s electric fields, being
forced to move in 1 direction which is what creates a current that is
used for electrical power
•Cost expected to be $30,000+ and also expected to receive up to a
30% tax incentive from the federal government

Cumulative Impacts
Aesthetics
Potential effects: In respect to California State University of San Bernardino, visually the area is an open campus surrounded by various
colleges. The solar panels on the proposed carports will be facing due south. Due to the angle of the panels, the buildings around the
area may experience glares at certain times of the day. North facing panels is not feasible as to avoid disturbing the Observatory.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: During installation, the construction site will be visible. Portions of the parking lot will yet again be
under construction.
Beneficial short-term effects/impacts: Campus population will be interested in improvements being made for the campus.
Adverse long-term effects/impacts: Due to the proposed solar carports, the scenic view of the area will not be affected as it is
currently a parking lot. Currently the significant portions that will be affected by the scenicview are the newly added drought resistant
landscaping between each parking lane which will not be adversely affected as the project does not require removal of the
landscaping nor will it be visually blocked by the project.
Beneficial long-term effects/impacts: The campus will benefit for being environmentally friendly.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse effect aesthetically but rather beneficial in helping the campus be associated in being
environmentally friendly in the reduction of greenhouse gases through the use of solar energy.

Cumulative Impacts
Agricultural Resources
Potential effects: The project site is a parking lot that was
recently built in 2016.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: N/A
Beneficial short-term effects/impacts: N/A
Adverse long-term effects/impacts: N/A
Beneficial long-term effects/impacts: N/A
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial
effects are determined to involve agricultural resources.

Cumulative Impacts
Air Quality
Potential effects: Particulates created during construction of carports.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Particulates to the air will be generated
during construction of carports via construction vehicles and disturbance of
the land when building the carports.
Beneficial long-term effects/impacts: The solar energy is a clean energy that is
not generated through any means of the use of fuels for energy. It will
potentially help reduce the emissions created through other sources of energy
by partially substituting it through the use of solar energy.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse effect, rather a more beneficial
effect by utilizing clean energy and helping reduce the use of sources of
energy that emit greenhouse gases (Union of Concerned Scientists. (2016).

Cumulative Impacts
Biological Impacts
Potential effects: May or may not impact native avian species that reside in
the area.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Construction of the carports could cause
large short-term disturbances to the wildlife that may be associated to the
parking lot.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse effects are determined as the
construction is only temporary while the finished project has no adverse
biological impacts.

Cumulative Impacts
Cultural/Historical Resources
Potential effects: Due to the parking area already existing, any cultural or
historical resources are not disturbed.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial effects are determined
to involve cultural or historical resources.

Cumulative Impacts
Geology and Soils
Potential effects: Construction of the project has the potential to disturb the
geology and soils.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Construction efforts may cause
disturbances in the geology of the area.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial effect due to
temporary use of construction.

Cumulative Impacts
Hazardous/Toxic Materials
Potential effects: Zinc-bromine flow batteries will be used to create the battery
storage system for the solar carports. The system is to be properly contained
and protected as well as monitored to ensure safety compliance with the
hazardous materials in the battery that is involved.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Extremely low potential for leaks or fire.
Adverse long-term effects/impacts: Extremely low potential for leaks or fire.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial effect due to the
extremely low potential for battery leakage or fire.

Cumulative Impacts
Hydrology/Water Quality
Potential effects: Uses of water for cleaning solar panels and/or uses during
construction. Extremely low chances for battery leak to make way into the soil
and contaminate water sources.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Water during construction may or may not
be used.
Adverse long-term effects/impacts: Potential for battery leak is highly unlikely,
especially when contained properly. Water use may be used for the cleaning
of the solar panels, but other sources may be explored for the upkeep of the
solar panels.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial effects determined by
the potential battery leak that is very unlikely to occur.

Cumulative Impacts
Land Use Planning
Potential effects: The solar carports are intended to be of permanent use.
Beneficial long-term effects/impacts: The solar carports will benefit the parking
users of shade on top of generating electricity for the campus.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse effect is determined. Beneficial
aspects are determined to be useful in terms of providing shade for its users as
well as benefiting the campus in generating clean energy.

Cumulative Impacts
Mineral Resources
Potential effects: Mineral resources are not affected by this project.
long-term effects/impacts: N/A
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial effect is determined
for mineral resources.

Cumulative Impacts
Noise
Potential effects: Noise may be present that may exceed noise TLV.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Noises generated through the
construction of the solar carports.
due to the nature of the construction being only temporary. Buildings and
persons near the construction area may experience noise discomfort but is
only determined to be temporary until construction is finished.

Cumulative Impacts
Population Growth and Housing
Potential effects:This project does not intrude on potential future uses for
housing.
due to the fact that the project is being built on existing parking spaces that
will not be used for any housing purposes.

Cumulative Impacts
Public Health/Hazards
Potential effects: Reduction of greenhouse gases through the use of solar
alternative. The storage of the solar batteries present a hazard if not stored and
protected properly.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Battery damage or malfunction through
chemical leaks may occur but highly unlikely.
Adverse long-term effects/impacts: Battery damage or malfunction through
chemical leaks may occur but highly unlikely.
Beneficial long-term effects/impacts: Reduction of greenhouse gases via the
use of solar power.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse effect is determined as long as the
battery is safely stored and protected. Beneficial effect is determined to be
through the reduction of greenhouse gases via the use of solar power which
emit no, if at all, any greenhouse gas.

Cumulative Impacts
Public Services/Utilities
Potential effects: Energy generated through solar carports will reduce the cost
of electric utility for the campus as well as providing excess energy to the
Edison company.
Beneficial long-term effects/impacts: Reduction of electricity use through paid
utility and more reliance on self-generated clean energy.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse effect determined. Significant
beneficial effects however include the use of clean energy to supply the
campus and less reliance on paid supplied energy.

Cumulative Impacts
Recreation
Potential effects: The solar carport project is not intended to be used for any
recreational purposes.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial effect was determined
involving recreation.

Cumulative Impacts
Transportation/Traffic
Potential effects: Traffic is projected to take place during construction as well
as the temporary reduction of parking.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Traffic to occur during transportation of
equipment and vehicles intended for use in construction. Parking is also
temporarily closed in construction area.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial effect is determined.
Any adverse effect is only temporary during construction phase that is
projected to create traffic but no long-term effects are determined.

Cumulative Impacts
Floodplains
Potential effects: N/A The project does not involve floodplains directly.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse of beneficial effect can be
determined concerning floodplains. The project is being built on an existing
parking area with proper drainage already in place.

Cumulative Impacts
Wetlands
Potential effects: No wetlands in the immediate and surrounding area.
Beneficial short-term effects/impacts: N/A.
Cumulative effects: No adverse or beneficial effect is determined due to
having no immediate or surrounding wetland areas.

Cumulative Impacts
Threatened, endangered, or candidate species and/or their critical habitat
Potential effects: No threatened, endangered, or candidate species’ habitats
are affected after the projected finish date. Construction may disturb wildlife
near the construction site.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: Construction may disturb wildlife that may
include threatened, endangered, or candidate species.
as the project does not encroach on any unused areas that may alter any
habitats for wildlife in the area. The project is using an existing parking area so it
will not be changing any habitats in the area. Wildlife residing in the immediate
or surrounding areas may be disturbed due to the construction, but has no
lasting effects once the project is finished.

Cumulative Impacts
Areas of recreational, ecological, scenic, or aesthetic importance
Potential effects: Solar carports may provide shading for those that regularly
jog around school campus. Project does not detract from any scenic or
aesthetic importance except for those in the immediate area.
Adverse long-term effects/impacts: Persons in the immediate area may have
their scenic view of the San Bernardino Mountains blocked by the solar
carports.
Beneficial long-term effects/impacts: Carports provide shade as well as
positive outlook of the campus using clean energy.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse effect is determined. Beneficial
effects include providing shade for its users as well as providing the campus
with a positive outlook on using clean energy. Scenic areas like the San
Bernardino Mountain will be affected in the immediate area but is less so once
the person is no longer in the parking area. Those residing in the buildings will
not have their scenic view of the mountains detracted upon and has no effect
at all.

Cumulative Impacts
Natural resources (timber, fish, wildlife, water-bodies or aquifers)
Potential effects: This project does not encroach upon any natural resources.
Adverse short-term effects/impacts: N/A.
Adverse long-term effects/impacts: N/A.
that encroaches on natural resources in the immediate or surrounding area.

Cumulative Impacts
Property of historic, archaeological, or architectural
significance
Potential effects: No property of historic, archaeological, or architectural
significance are affected in the project.
Cumulative effects: No significant adverse or beneficial effect is determined
since the project does not involve any historic, archaeological, or architectural
significant entities.

Cumulative Impacts
Minority and low-income populations
Potential effects: No minority and low-income populations in the immediate or
surrounding area of the project.
to affect any minority and low-income populations as the project site is on the
north-side of campus grounds.

Economic and Social Effects
▶ Sunlight is abundant in
southern California
▶ Rebates
▶ Similar projects
▶ Additional funds through
permits
▶ Communities
▶ Heat island effect

Economic and Social Effects
▶ Visibility
▶ Sustainability
▶ Land use
▶ Employment

References
California Natural Resources Agency. (2016). Title 14. Resources.ca.gov. Retrieved from http://resources.ca.gov/ceqa/guidelines/art20.html
Chang, E. (2016). Ingenious Hack – Solar Parking Lots That Generate Power. EastWestBank ReachFurther. Retrieved from
https://www.eastwestbank.com/ReachFurther/News/Article/Ingenious-Hack-Solar-Parking-Lots-That-Generate-Power
Facilities.csusb.edu. (2016). Current Projects - Facilities Planning & Management, Parking Lot N.[Photograph]. Retrieved from http://facilities.csusb.edu/projects.html
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (2014). How to Comply with Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations. Retrieved from
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hazardous-materials/how-comply-federal-hazardous-materials-regulations
Graham, S. (2009). Yes, You Can Afford Solar Panels. Networx. Retrieved from http://www.networx.com/article/yes-you-can-afford-solar-panels-
Home Power Magazine.(2016).Solar Water Heating, Systems, Projects [Photograph]. Homepower.com. Retrieved 8 November 2016, from
http://www.homepower.com/solar-water-heating
Hope, J., Koch, A., Gutierrez, A., & Polaske, S. (2015). Notice of intent to adopt the proposed negative declaration for the chemehuevi indian tribe project
“demonstration of community scale generation system at the chemehuevi community center” (EPC-15-003) Proposed Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC)
Grant (1st ed.). Retrieved from http://www.energy.ca.gov/2015publications/CEC-500-2015-067/CEC-500-2015-067.pdf

References
Lilburn Corporation. (2016). Final mitigated negative declaration and initial study parking lot N. [Photograph]. The Trustees of the
California State University California State University, San Bernardino. Retrieved from http://facilities.csusb.edu/documents/ParkingLot-
NMitigatedNegativeDeclaration.pdf
Maehlum, M. (2015). Which Solar Panel Type is Best? Mono-, Polycrystalline or Thin Film?. Energy Informative. Retrieved from
http://energyinformative.org/best-solar-panel-monocrystalline-polycrystalline-thin-film/
Roofpedia. (2016). Solar Roof Shingles | Solar Shingle Tiles | What You Need To Know.[Photograph]. Retrieved from
http://roofpedia.com/solar-roof-shingles/http://roofpedia.com/solar-roof-shingles/
Sanchez, J. (2016). Solar Electric Power, Systems, Projects | Home Power Magazine. Homepower.com. Retrieved from
http://www.homepower.com/solar-electricity
Union of Concerned Scientists. (2016). Environmental Impacts of Solar Power. Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-
energy-choices/renewable-energy/environmental-impacts-solar-power.html#.V_SPtvkrJhE

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