Proyecto Luz Verde UPRM: Project-Based-Learning Education on Energy Using Off-Grid PV Systems

The philosophy of teaching power and energy courses at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) has gained more meaning following the recent catastrophes in the archipelago. The recent hurricanes Maria and Fiona, in 2017 and 2022 respectively, show us that there is a great amount of work ahead in this regard for Puerto Rico. Very few study the impact that practical energy education can have on young and determined students seeking to build a country from the ground up. In what follows, the authors present a case study of a model led by students from the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) UPRM Student Branch Chapter in their university campus and in outside communities known as Proyecto Luz Verde UPRM, with the advice of mentors from UPRM. This initiative is a pioneer project with the purpose of fostering awareness on energy consumption, education on renewable energy and implementing the design of a photovoltaic (PV) system for the service of the community. The interdisciplinary team counts with students from all the engineering and architecture fields and expects the initiative could have a considerable impact in Puerto Rico and serve as an example for other places around the world. Its construction is expected to be completed in 2024. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the first gazebo along with the educational material of this initiative as an example that could help make the difference in needed energy transformations and to highlight the positive impact students can have for the good of their communities from the early stages of their careers.