RE Lab Solar Heater Capstone 2025

The RE Lab Solar Heater Capstone 2025 project aims to design and implement a solar air heater that provides renewable heat to Northern Arizona University’s Renewable Energy Lab. This system offsets the lab’s current nonrenewable heating method while supporting NAU’s long-term carbon neutrality goals.

Sponsor / Client

Northern Arizona University — Steve Sanghi College of Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering – Northern Arizona University

Website · mechanical.engineering@nau.edu

Team

Jacob Apodaca
Jacob Apodaca
Role: Test Engineer
jga77@nau.edu · Resume · LinkedIn
Brendan Frazier
Brendan Frazier
Role: Project and Logistics Manager
bmf287@nau.edu · Resume · LinkedIn
Tyler Hedgecock
Tyler Hedgecock
Role: CAD Engineer
teh235@nau.edu · Resume · LinkedIn
Joseph Meza
Joseph Meza
Role: Financial Manager
jmm2548@nau.edu · Resume · LinkedIn
Calvin Schenkenberger
Calvin Schenkenberger
Role: Manufacturing Engineer
cms2378@nau.edu · Resume · LinkedIn

Technical Advisor

Carson Marty Pete

Carson Marty Pete

Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Northern Arizona University

Carson.Pete@nau.edu · 928-523-4970

Engineering Building (69), Room 204

Quick Links

Installation & Site Work

Applying tarp to the RETF roof prior to work

Applying tarp to the RETF roof prior to work.

Current mounting system

Current mounting system layout for the heater frame.

Dumping old panels

Removing outdated panels to make space for the prototype.

PVT panel removal

PVT panel removal from the roof work area.

Refurbishing old solar panels

Refurbishing panels for evaluation and reuse where possible.

New panel front view

Panel front view after fabrication.

Planning & Documentation

Bill of Materials

Bill of Materials for procurement and tracking.

Manufacturing plan

Manufacturing plan defining build steps and sequencing.

Purchasing plan

Purchasing plan outlining materials and vendor costs.

Prototype & CAD

CAD model of solar air heater

CAD model of the solar air heater prototype.

How the panel works diagram

System diagram showing heat capture and airflow path.

Hardware for ductwork installation

Hardware staging for ductwork and integration into the lab.

Date last updated: 2025-10-05