Experiment Group Powerpoint
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Tag Archives: Panels
Experiment Outline
After we have received all necessary materials for the experiment we can truly begin collecting useful data. The physical set up of the experiment is the same as the solar cell experiment, which we did in class. We will have an NXT microcontroller with the same code as the solar cell Labview code. We will have a voltage probe connected to one of the ports in the NXT microcontroller and the other end is connected to the wires of the solar panels. We will collect the voltage output during a 10 second period (this duration time might be changed). We will perform 3 different trials throughout the experiment, each trial representing a different obstruction. The 1st trial is considered a reference point because we will measure the voltage output when the solar panel is clean. The 2nd trial we will pour water on the solar panels (they are encapsulated) to simulate rain and then take a voltage reading. In the 3rd trial we will take some dirt and smudge it over the solar panel gently to mimic dust build up and once again take a voltage reading. It is important to remember that the light source is held constant during all trials and will be the same distance throughout the experiment. In between each trial, we will clean the solar panel since each student group will only be given 1 solar panel for the whole experiment.
Once we complete the trials, we will open up the data on a excel spreadsheet and create a bar graph of the averages of the voltages of each trial. What we should observe is the voltage decreasing in between the 2nd and 3rd trial. There shouldn’t be a very big voltage difference in between the 1st and 2nd trial. Now that we have a visual of the data we want to calculate about how many voltage is being lost in between the 1st and 3rd trial. In our solar panels the difference is going to be quite small, but in commercial/residential solar panels this difference is evident. After were done dealing with the data, we will ask students 2 questions to make them think more critically:
- The most typical size for solar panels used for residential installations is 65 inches by 39 inches, while the common size for commercial applications is 77 inches by 39 inches. The solar panels we have provided are approximately 2.4 inches by 3.6 inches.
Estimate the voltage lost in a residential and commercial solar panel.
- The majority of solar panels in commercial installations are maintained by individuals who physically clean each solar panel (similar to window cleaners). This method is expensive and tedious for the workers.
What are alternative approaches to cleaning solar panels that are less expensive and more effective? (Hint: Think Autonomous Systems)
We are looking for your ideas so let your imagination run wild!
Brainstorm Session
During our brainstorming session, my group had a lot of different ideas bouncing around of what exactly we wanted our experiment to be on. We thought it would be more helpful to think of an experiment that was simple to do but very effective at making a connection with the energy crisis we are currently experiencing. Initially we wanted to do an experiment that was completely dependent on the Lego Mindstorm Kit. We searched around online and found a few experiments, but they didn’t really have that much emphasis on sustainability and energy. A fun experiment is obviously more enjoyable to the students but if no useful data can be extracted than what was the purpose? We needed an experiment that we could get data out and make students analyze and interpret this data. After asking ourselves these essential questions, we ended up rejecting the Lego Mindstorm Kit ideas because they weren’t fitting our model of what a good experiment should be.
We decided to change gears and think of an experiment we have performed in class but alter it to make a different experiment but still keep the fundamental ideas the same. We decided on taking the solar energy experiment and making the obstruction in between the solar panel and the light source materials that are more accurate to those in our environment. We quickly brainstormed what type of things get on solar panels and we ended up with water (from rain) and dirt/dust (which accumulates over time). One of the most brought up obstructions during our group discussions was bird poop, which is very true but implementing it in the experiment was not going to happen for obvious reasons. We all agreed upon this experiment, in which we would measure the voltage output of solar panels with different obstructions. I will further discuss the experiment in my next blog.
Saquib Butt’s Presentation
On October 1st, Saquib Butt, a Suffolk EE Alumni, came in and gave us a presentation of his work with photovoltaic at Boston Scientific, where he currently works. Boston Scientific is not an engineering firm instead it’s a medical equipment company. He has the role of project manager at the company, where he oversees large-scale projects and figures out the logistics of various project. His most recent project involved the installation of solar panels throughout the whole MLB campus of Boston Scientific. Through this initiative the company was able to save slightly more than 30% on energy and reduced their carbon footprint on the environment. As he stated the cost of everything was free since the installers picked up the bill. The installers would receive state and federal grants as a result and Boston Scientific would receive Carbon Tax Reductions from the government when doing their taxes. The company would begin to see the benefits of this installation appear in a few years when their energy consumption truly decreases. Saquib Butt also talked about his prior project on solar panels on a different building. As you can see in the picture only the left side of the building is covered with solar panels as of right now. He stated that it is important to have photovoltaic cells point south because it would absorb the most sunlight. All the panels are at a slight angle, which solves the problem of snow accumulation during the winter. The angle would cause gravity to pull the snow down and photovoltaic cells produce a small amount of heat that would melt a thin layer of snow. He told us that Boston Scientific is thinking about installing solar panels on the right side of the building as well since there is a lot of surface area to mount solar panels.
After his presentation, we had a Q & A session and we received a few tips on college, internships, getting a job. He believed that it is vital to do internships in order to expose your self to a true engineering environment. In these internships we have the opportunity to network and make good connections with future employers. In addition, we have the chance to apply the concepts we have learned in the class to real world problems. He also connected to us in a personal way by saying that their were times during college that he didn’t know what he was doing or never he understand the material, but its vital to keep working hard. In conclusion, his presentation was informative and full of important advice.