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Longview, Texas - Spring Hill Junior High School
The graphs below show 15-minute average data collected at the site over the past three days. You can also download the raw data files and make your own graphs of the data from this and other photovoltaic systems from our data page. Please note: Performance data from this system and nearly 100 others on schools, businesses, and houses nationwide are presented at www.SolTrex.com, a new website that allows you to make custom graphs of the performance data from any system!
The Spring Hill Junior High School system began generating power on November 20, 1999. The system is rated at 4 kilowatts. Due to the configuration of the system on the roof, the eastern edge of the array is shaded early in the morning for about an hour--this would show up as decreased energy production in the early morning. However, the pyranometer (the device that measures the amount of sunlight on the array) is also mounted on the eastern edge of the array, and remains in the shade even longer than the array does. These factors may partly explain why the sunlight curve in the first graph above trails the output curve in the early morning hours. Another explanation is that the solar cells work most efficiently in the cold, so we tend to see higher output values on cold mornings than on warmer mornings. This phenomena can be seen on almost every other system. Its sister system a few miles away at Pine Tree Junior HIgh School is nearly identical: both systems face due south and are tilted at 25 degrees. They share identical components and have similar lengths of the AC and DC runs. These two systems will make for some interesting comparisons of performance and variation in local weather conditions. Longview is the visitors center for the rolling hills, lakes, and pine forests of East Texas. The tranquility and recreational opportunities of East Texas attract weekenders and vacationers from throughout the nation. This quality of life, along with the work force, economy, cost of living and locational advantages, are some of the reasons that Longview has been the choice of business and families for over 40 years. Longview has a fascinating history spanning the early years when cotton was king in East Texas through the oil boom days to the present. Located in the heart of Longview's One Hundred Acres of Heritage, the Gregg County Historical Museum is a favorite place to visitors and residents alike. There is an abundance of restaurants, both national chains and local favorites. The Longview community is blessed with a variety of cultural activities. Longview serves as the hub for visitors to the East Texas area, and is the site of AlleyFest, an annual three day festival on the streets Downtown Longview the first weekend in June, and The Great Texas Balloon Race an annual event held in mid July. AlleyFest, begun in 1979 with 39 artists now includes over 100 artisians, 40 hours of live music on two stages, a large children's festival, a 3 on 3 street basketball tournament, sand volleyball tournament, a certified 10k runners course with 5k and 1 mile routs PLUS outreageously good food. The Great Texas Balloon Race, also begun in 1979 is the first and largest such event in the state. This competitive event attracts world class hot-air balloon pilots from around the world who compete for points toward National and International titles. A three day event in mid-July holds 5 races, two night time balloon gloes and is a fun festival with full carnival, air-shows, food and commercial venders, live music Fri. & Sat. night. The Wild West comes to East Texas the final weekend of September during Dalton Days. A one-day event which celebrates Longview's historical roots in the western traditions includes two re-enactments of the famous Dalton Gang robbery of a Longview Bank. Light Up Longview celebrates the holiday season with one of the most dramatic lighting displays in East Texas. The Gregg County Courthouse and grounds as well as many block in Downtown Longview come alive with and thrill Longview residents and visitors alike. There are dozens of state parks for camping, hiking, and picnicking. Several nationally known fishing lakes in the area include Lake O' The Pines, Lake Fork, Toledo Bend, Martin Creek, Monticello, and Caddo. No matter where you live in the area, you are never more than 30 minutes from a major recreational lake. In fact 33 public lakes offer fishing, boating, skiing, sailing, and swimming, almost year round. East Texas is a favorite haven for hunters and woodsmen. Seasons include deer, quail, squirrel, dove, and duck. BACK
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