PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The service integration project will be centered on a student-initiated concept of solar domestic hot water systems for low-income households. The system itself will be primarily constructed from recycled materials such as used domestic hot water tanks and wood components recovered from construction sites. (Several community businesses have already agreed to donate some of the essential components.) The specific system design constraints, criteria and solution specifications are located in the Appendix of this proposal. A prototype, along with a kit (consisting of system components and assembly instructions), of this system will be designed previously to the beginning of this grant period. It is the intent of YSB to have their clients assemble these solar hot water systems and then, through local low-income housing agencies such as The Resource Assistance Center, distribute the systems to interested households. The activities of the service integration program will focus on assisting YSB and their juvenile clients to develop and implement a self-sustaining, successful program.

The project will take a holistic approach to developing a successful program. One part of the program will be training by CSU students of YSB juvenile clients and some YSB staff. This training will include education of the benefits of solar energy and recycling, demonstration of the benefits relate specifically to the solar hot water system, basic mechanical skills, specific assembly instructions and, if applicable, installation methods. Using the local community college and job-training facilities for these training sessions such as Front Range Community College will be attempted.