California State University, Fullerton
IN-25: Innovation B

In the fall of 2017, the CSU, Fullerton campus began planning for outdoor spaces where students could meet and charge their electronic devices using solar power.

At first, they started working with a commercial company called "ConnecTables". (The company and its products have since been renamed as Sunbolt.) The plan was to purchase and install two standard ConnecTables that would allow students to charge their phones, tablets, laptops, etc. with solar energy powered by four PV panels per table. The campus did purchase and installed two of these units.

The tables, however, were not aesthetically pleasing. Survey after survey on campus has shown that the CSUF community values its outdoor spaces and the beauty of the campus landscaping. This value is cherished by faculty, students and staff alike.

As a result of this value, members of the Capital Programs and Facilities Management (CPFM) began brainstorming about how a similar product could be created on campus and be aesthetically pleasing as well. The Planning and Design group worked on a design that could accomplish this goal. The various trades units in CPFM started looking for a company that could provide the parts necessary to provide the solar PV panels, battery and electrical equipment needed to provide solar charging. The campus wanted to install two additional solar tables like the ConnecTables that would be beautiful as well. Sepco was chosen as the vendor for these aspects of the project.

Sepco provided the campus with the following items:

1) Two 50 Watt Solar electric Power Assemblies (Powder Coated)
2) Two 82 Amp Hour Battery Assemblies (Powder Coated)
3) Two USB 10 Watt in Outdoor Weatherproof Junction Boxes/Receptacles
4) Two Adaptive Lighting Controls: Dusk to Dawn Operation/Relay

These items would provide up to 8 hours of capable draw at 10 watts per day (24 hr).

Using a trellis design plan created by a staff member in Facilities, the trades began their work. One group did the grading for each table so that the concrete pads could be poured. The tables used were round picnic-like tables. Before and after the pads were poured, campus electricians installed wiring and junction boxes needed for charging. Campus carpenters built the square structures with overhead wood slats on top. The wood was installed so that the sun would break through between the slats. The electricians installed the batteries and the solar panels. The final touch was the planting of "trumpet vine", a plant that was beautiful and would grow around the four posts of the trellis.

This innovation from within was very well received by campus members. Each table has four charging ports. This project helps reduce campus "plug load" as electronic devices are powered by solar, instead of purchased electricity. It also helps address the need for more charging outlets on campus. This is a consistent feedback item on our annual customer satisfaction surveys.

The design plan is attached below. This is a project that could be replicated across other campuses.