When senior engineering majors Noelle Faulk of Elmhurst, Illinois, and Jonah Hutton of Bluffs, Illinois, began their journey into renewable energy, they had no idea their vision would one day power a room on campus and possibly inspire the next wave of sustainability projects at Monmouth College.
What started as an ordinary trip to the fourth floor of the Center for Science and Business – known on campus as the CSB – during a “Fluid Mechanics” class quickly evolved into something extraordinary. Faulk noticed a stack of unused solar panels and immediately saw potential.
“I’m passionate about sustainability and renewable energy, so I went straight to Professor (Chris) Fasano to ask if there was any way I could use the panels for a project,” she said.
That initial spark led her to an independent research project last spring, diving deep into the science of solar energy. By the time fall semester rolled around, Faulk and Hutton needed a senior design project, and they knew exactly what to do.
Design for impact
Together, the students envisioned something more than a theoretical exercise. They wanted to design and build a solar-powered charging station – one that could be used both by students and the local community, and that would visually demonstrate how renewable energy systems work.
They created multiple design iterations to minimize costs and reduce waste, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the process. Using SolidWorks for modeling, they incorporated essential electrical components such as a disconnect switch, inverter, charge controller and batteries to store and convert solar energy into usable power.
Both students are pursuing a mechanical engineering emphasis, so the project’s heavy electrical component required them to stretch their skills.
“We had to teach ourselves a lot of electrical engineering,” Hutton explained. “From component specifications to energy calculations, it was a huge learning curve, but a rewarding one.”
More than just a charging station
Located in a public-access room in the CSB, the station includes an interactive display showing all the electronics inside, plus a TV screen mounted above it. The goal? To make the space inviting and educational.
“We hope the visible components will draw people in, spark curiosity and encourage them to think about where their energy comes from,” said Faulk.
The TV will broadcast Monmouth athletic events, host movie nights for teams and clubs, and simply provide background news while students study. It’s a multi-functional space meant to foster both learning and community.
A campus and community effort
From the beginning, the project resonated with Monmouth College’s values of innovation, sustainability and community engagement. Faculty across departments supported the project wholeheartedly, from marketing advice to hands-on installation help. Faulk and Hutton worked closely with faculty members Tom Prince, Richard Johnston and Ryan Colclasure and staff electrician Mark Ogorzalek, integrating ideas and feedback from each of them.
They also conducted campus surveys to gather feedback on the charging station and interest in renewable energy. One popular suggestion – installing two types of power strips, one with built-in chargers and one with open ports – was added to their design.
“The survey showed how much students and faculty care about sustainability,” said Hutton. “It was even more motivation to keep pushing forward.”
Leaving a legacy
Looking ahead, Faulk and Hutton hope their project will pay for itself by saving on electricity costs, while also sparking future innovation.
“Even if the energy savings are small, it’s a visible example of what’s possible,” said Faulk. “We set aside part of our funding to support future students who want to take on solar projects of their own.”
And for Faulk, this project is just the beginning. She’s now exploring careers in sustainable engineering, particularly with construction companies that focus on energy efficiency.
“There’s a growing movement to retrofit buildings for sustainability,” she said. “This project helped me realize I want to be part of that future.”
Empowering students to lead
In the end, this student-led initiative is more than a capstone project – it’s a symbol of Monmouth College’s belief in student potential.
“Noelle and Jonah were given the freedom to dream, design and build,” said physics lab manager Ralph Patterson. “Their work not only powers devices, it powers conversation, awareness and future change.”
From a simple question about unused solar panels to a fully functional public charging station, Faulk and Hutton have shown what’s possible when passion meets opportunity at Monmouth College.
***Courtesy of Barry McNamara, Monmouth College***
