2009-2010 University Scholar Profile
Stefan James Bird
Mentor: Jim Sullivan
College of Design, Construction, and Planning
"I applied for the University Scholars Program because I saw it as an opportunity to learn about a very specialized topic within my interest in sustainable development. Combining multi-disciplinary studies of sustainability, economics, public policy, engineering, and energy I hope to develop a better understanding of the exponential potential of renewable energies locally, regionally, nationally, and abroad.
My research will form a broad perspective of the emergence and progress of renewable energy development in the United States. I will be focusing my research on the photovoltaic (PV) solar system which collects the sun's DC energy rays and converts them to usable utility AC electricity. PV also has the indirect benefits of producing pollution-free electricity and being an alernative fuel to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign fuels as a matter of national security. Europe has led a successful PV campaign by propping up the market through support mechanisms, while the U.S. has failed to embrace a solar future by means of a free market. Without accounting for the environmental benefits of PV, solar systems cannot compete with the cost of conventional energy in the U.S. in terms of electricity produced. Arguably the most successful European method has been the Feed-in Tariff where PV system generators sell the electricity to the grid and are guaranteed an adequate investment through a fixed price per kW/ hour produced for a fixed amount of time (usually 20 years) spreading the costs to all utility consumers."
Courses of Study
Major
Building Construction
Minor
Sustainability Studies
Research Interests
Sustainable development, green buildings, solar construction, renewable energy, photovoltaic systems, policy support mechanisms, energy optimization software, energy conservation, weatherization, supply and demand side management,life-cycle costs, emerging markets, market barriers, job creation
Academic Awards
- Dean's List
- Florida Medallions Scholar
Organizations
- President, U.S. Green Building Council- Student Chapter
- BCN College Council Green Building Certification Institute- LEED
- AP LEED Student Competition Team
- Associated General Contractors of America Student Chapter
- American Society of Safety Engineers Student Chapter
- Co-Op Internship with Holder Construction Company
- Gators for a Sustainable Campus
- Assistant Director, Florida Blue Key's Speaker Bureau
Volunteer
- 10,000 Homes Weatherization Committee Rebuilding Together North Central Florida
Hobbies and Interests
Traveling, camping, outdoors, reading, chess, soccer, sailing, SEC football
Research Description
Del Sol: Cash Flows and the Triple Bottom Line
My research will form a broad perspective of the emergence and progress of renewable energy development in the United States. I will be focusing my research on the photovoltaic (PV) solar system which collects the sun's DC energy rays and converts them to usable utility AC electricity. PV also has the indirect benefits of producing pollution-free electricity and being an alternative fuel to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign fuels as a matter of national security.
Europe has led a successful PV campaign by propping up the market through support mechanisms, while the U.S. has failed to embrace a solar future by means of a free market. Without accounting for the environmental benefits of PV, solar systems cannot compete with the cost of conventional energy in the U.S. in terms of electricity produced. Arguably the most successful European method has been the Feed-in Tariff where PV system generators sell the electricity to the grid and are guaranteed an adequate investment through a fixed price per kW/ hour produced for a fixed amount of time (usually 20 years) spreading the costs to all utility consumers.
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