Solar Panels are used to produce clean, mean energy ( electricity in a constant wave) from the natural gift of light and life: the sun. They are becoming increasingly popular. One might find one very easily in New England, especially. I happen to live right next to the oldest home in town, literally. By contrast there is a new, shiny, kickass solar panel in the front yard. These people have something figured out, I think as I cruise by daily.

 

Here is a fact I learned during our lecture: the light intensity is a measure of the energy of the light, and is important. The more light intensity, the more voltage and stronger current generated through Photovoltaics.

 

Through our experiment using mini solar panels, a vibrant light, 3 color slides, and computer software, we were able to discover how solar power is translated into voltage.

Our mini panel and light source!

 

TRIALS:

1.     Response of the solar panel with no light.

2.     We put our lamp light on, shining onto the solar panel, and let the graphs determine the data (on our computer)

3.     We placed our light source 2 cm away from the solar panel. Very closely. = Bigger numbers were produced on the graph! WOAH, that’s solar energy.

4.     We placed our solar panel farther away, and noticed that the graph had some weak recordings.

Our graph shows the various results of distance between solar panel and light source. Here is a little look at the various trails: 1= no light filter 2= low light 3= low light, but closer 4=25 cm away( panel to light) 5= panel 60cm away from light

 

NEXT STEP: Pick a steady distance, and try the color slides on the solar panel. How will this effect our results?

Our distance: 6 cm and low power light

TRIALS shown on graph :

1.     No filter= 0.336852

2.     Pink=0.2945513

3.     Purple=0.315041

4.     Yellow=0.307343

 

 

This experiment was a great way to relate Photovoltaic’s to a tangible activity!