Public seminar on Engineering a Solar Panel Array to be Apr. 25 at Michigan Tech

This photo shows the solar panel array installed at 1104 Datolite Street in Houghton, an apartment complex owned by Allan Baker, who took the photo during snowfall in early April in order to show that snow does not accumulate on the panels. (Photo © and courtesy Allan Baker)

HOUGHTON -- The seminar "An Engineering Approach to Solar PV Installation" will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 25, in Room G002, Hesterberg Hall, in the U. J. Noblet Forestry Building at Michigan Tech University. The seminar is free and open to the public.

James B. Malosh, a professional engineer with a PhD in mechanical engineering, will discuss the design and construction of an unconventional solar panel array at 1104 Datolite Street in Houghton. The panels are mounted on the walls of the apartment complex, which is owned by Allan Baker.

Since the panels became operational in January, Baker has seen a dramatic change in his electric bill. In March 2014 he was charged $176; and, a year later, the solar panels generated more electricity than he used: he received a credit of $45.

"It’s too early to tell for sure, but right now I think my annual savings will be between $1,400 and $1,700," Baker said.

Malosh is a registered professional mechanical engineer, a founding fellow of the Institute of Diagnostic Engineers and the holder of five patents.