This past week in class, we were experimenting with solar panels and how different types of light (different colors) will effect how much power (V) was produced with different colored filters at different distances.  For our experiment, we tested with no light, no filter, a blue filter, a green filter, and an orange filter.  With each trial, we used the NXT battery, a USB plug, a flashlight, ruler (cm), the 3 color filters, and the solar panel.

Here is an example of how our experiment would happen:

Step 1: First, after everything was set up, we wanted to get a baseline reading from the solar panel with no light.  By doing this we can check if the panel is working and then compare the numbers to numbers that will come up when there is light hitting the solar panel.  Having no light hit the solar panel was as easy as flipping it upside down.

Step 2: For our first real run, we used no filter on the flashlight, and just allowed 100% light to hit the solar panel from 0cm away.  After those readings came in, we would move the light source away from the solar panel in increments.  We would then run the experiment again with the light 10cm away facing the solar panel, and measure how much voltage was being picked up from the solar panel.  After that, the light would be moved back to 30cm, and finally 40cm away.

Step 3: Once we got our baseline readings with no light and light with no filter, we moved on to our first colored filter.  Our group started with the blue filter, so we would hold the filter flush with the flashlight and hold that at 0cm from the solar panel.  After that reading, we would move it away to 10cm, 30cm, and 40cm keeping the blue filter flush with the flashlight.  Finally we would move onto the orange filter and the green filter.

At the end of our experiment, we found out that there is a positive correlation between the color of light and how far away it is from the solar panel.  The closer the light was to the solar panel, the more voltage was read.  In addition to that, the natural light and the orange filter gave off the most amounts of voltage.  In conclusion, there is definitely a correlation between light intensity when you factor in colors and distances.

 

* I apologize for the photo below and it’s lack of clarity.  There was no other way to upload a photo of the experiment, so the one from my cell phone has to do. *