Tracking the sun: Hinds students turn skills into solar power

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Students in the Electro-Mechanical Technology program at Hinds Community College in Vicksburg have spent the last three semesters learning both in the classroom and through hands-on experience. Their final project: building a portable solar panel array that tracks the sun—on a $500 budget.

The nine students, who are set to graduate July 17, used a programmable logic controller and a series of timers to create the tracking system.

“Our end goal for this project was to make a solar panel that follows the sun,” said student Kaleb Hajj. “We’re using a series of timers on a programmable logic controller which will then track the sun.”

But getting it right took some trial and error. After a month of work, the students realized their original bracket was too heavy. They tore down the structure and rebuilt it in a single day using lighter materials and reinforced supports.

“We scrapped the whole design,” said Jonathan Juve. “We rebuilt it with lighter materials and added more braces and support to it.”

As graduation nears, most students say they plan to enter the workforce immediately. Many credit the real-world experience of building the solar tracker as a key part of their preparation.

“We have these really fancy trainers down the hill, but I feel like it’s just a trainer,” Juve said. “This is more of a real-world situation where you’re in a small, confined box using relays and figuring out the wiring.”

James Ross, Electro-Mechanical Technology instructor for the course, said that the students were tasked with not only the design of the project and construction, but troubleshooting and problem solving as well.

“Everything they learned on day one is actually in this project,” said Ross. “I think they have the self-confidence to do anything they want after this.”

Ross added that he’s proud of the programs Hinds offers, and there is a seat open to anyone who wants it.

“You can see how far these students have grown in three semesters,” said Ross. “If they know what they want to do, fantastic, if they don’t, that’s great too, but we’ve got a seat open for them here.”