General Details:

Project ID: RJI-3 - "SolOptimize"

Client: Reto Juvenil Internacional

Supervisor: Prof. Amy Bilton
Co-authors: Ibrahim Hassan, Siddarth Dhadwal, Mohit Gupta, Tony Hu

Business Identification Number (BIN): 1001369674

Summary:

Children’s Town in Bogotá provides vital support to youth escaping forced recruitment, but high electricity costs limit its ability to fund vocational training. This capstone project aims to reduce those costs by designing a solar-powered system for a study room and optimizing three existing residential solar installations.

Problem Statement:

1.0. Background
The Children’s Town in Bogotá, supported by Reto Juvenil Internacional (RJI), serves as a safe resort for children under the age of 17 who have escaped recruitment by armed groups. The town provides them with education, shelter, and psychological care. To better support these efforts, the centre aims to optimize its expenditures and save wherever possible, with electricity being one of the key areas where reductions are feasible by implementing solar-based solutions. Reducing energy costs would allow Children’s Town to redirect savings toward broader and more focused support initiatives, including expanded mental health therapy services and scholarships for students seeking to enrol in trade colleges after the age of 17.

2.0. The Main Problem
RJI operates solely based on donations, placing multiple financial constraints. Due to this, three existing solar panels that were initially being used to supply power for water heaters could not be repaired after being damaged, rendering them useless. The facility is therefore completely dependent on the city grid supply for its electricity needs, which significantly adds to its monthly expenses. This demonstrates one of the client’s needs to re-optimize the existing damaged solar panel systems to function as planned earlier (for the hot water boiler heaters). Furthermore, because electricity costs present a significant recurring monthly expense, the facility’s finances are heavily constrained; thus, this restricts resources that could otherwise be directed toward projects that directly address children’s well-being. To mitigate this burden, the client also requires the installation of a solar-powered system to minimize dependence on the city grid for a study room that is frequently used by students, and if possible, expand the solar power supply to other areas within the facility.

3.0. Scope
The scope of this project consists of two main components. First, the team will design an optimized solar panel system capable of supplying sufficient electrical power for concurrent use of two overhead lights and fifteen laptop computers located in a 650-sq. ft. study room to substitute the existing city grid supply. Second, the team will either repair or replace, as well as re-optimize the three currently damaged solar panels, originally intended to power hot-water boiler heaters in the children’s residences, located in close proximity to the study room. The project scope also includes ensuring that the hot-water boilers continue to receive power to function from the solar panel systems. To support future reliability and utility, the project will also include the integration of batteries for energy storage, design considerations to revert to the city grid in cases of solar power system downtime or insufficient solar energy supply, and a troubleshooting guide to aid maintenance and reduce future engineering costs. Expansion of the solar power supply to other areas of the RJI facility may also be considered if time and financial resources permit.

Revised Problem Statement (summarized):

1.1. Background
The Children’s Town in Bogotá, supported by Reto Juvenil Internacional (RJI), serves as a safe resort for children under the age of 17 who have escaped recruitment by armed groups. The town provides them with education, shelter, and psychological care. To better support these efforts, the centre aims to optimize its expenditures and save wherever possible, with electricity being one of the key areas where reductions are feasible by implementing solar-based solutions. Reducing energy costs would allow Children’s Town to redirect savings toward broader and more focused support initiatives, including expanded mental health therapy services and scholarships for students seeking to enroll in trade colleges after the age of 17.

1.2. The Main Problem
RJI operates solely on donations, which creates financial constraints. Three existing solar panels, originally used to power water heaters, were damaged and left unrepaired, leaving the facility fully dependent on the city grid and facing high monthly expenses. This highlights the need to re-optimize the damaged solar panels for the hot water boilers. Additionally, because electricity is a significant recurring cost, resources are diverted from projects that directly support children’s well-being. To reduce this burden, the client also requires a solar-powered system for the frequently used study room, with the possibility of expanding the solar supply to other areas of the facility.

1.3. Scope
The scope of this project consists of two main components. First, the team will design an optimized solar panel system capable of supplying sufficient electrical power for concurrent use of two overhead lights and fifteen laptop computers located in a 650-sq. ft. study room to substitute the existing city grid supply. Second, the team will either repair or replace, as well as re-optimize the three currently damaged solar panels, originally intended to power hot-water boiler heaters in the children’s residences, located in close proximity to the study room. We also need to ensure that the hot-water boilers continue to receive power to function from the solar panel systems. To support future reliability and utility, the project will also include the integration of batteries for energy storage, design considerations to revert to the city grid in cases of solar power system downtime or insufficient solar energy supply, and a troubleshooting guide to aid maintenance and reduce future engineering costs. Expansion of the solar power supply to other areas of the RJI facility may also be considered if time and financial resources permit.

Following sections will be updated soon:

2.0. Project Analysis

3.0. Project Requirements

3.1. Functions

3.2. Constraints

3.3. Objectives

3.4. Stakeholders

3.5. DfX principles

3.6. Human factors

3.7. Service environment

4.0. Resolution

5.0. Project Plan and Expectations

6.0. DfX and human factors