Solar Lab!!! Question Hypothesis Observation/procedure/perform Data/results/illustration Drawing Conclusions Reflection Summary/Communication

How do solar panel works?

Lab: What Are We Testing? The optimization of the solar panels Intensity Orientation Angle How can we see how well the panel is working? Voltage To make to panels work the best, we need to make sure they are in the best position to collect the most sunlight and have as many photons hit the panel as possible. Three factors that play into this optimal positioning are intensity, orientation, angle… There are many ways to measure electrical current, but for this lab we will focus on voltage. Voltage is the force that causes electricity, in the form of electron, to flow from one atom to another. It can be thought of like electric pressure, or the build up of electrons that pushes them all forward through the wire. This electrical pressure and current is generated from the solar panel, so you can essentially think abut the panel like a battery that is sending electricity around the wires in a circuit.

On To The Lab Kits: 2 alligator clips 2 tester rods 1 multi-meter 1 compass 1 protractor 1 solar panel Goal: To find intensity, orientation, and angle at which the solar panels work We are all going to go outside now and play with the solar kits. Experiments with full sun, shadow, angles… Record your data on the worksheets. Hand out worksheets.

How Much Solar Power Do We Need?

How much sunshine is needed to power California? LET’S CALCULATE!

STEP 1: How much energy does California use in a single day? In 2005 – 288,245,000 Kilowatt hours were used in the year STEP 1 Answer: AVERAGE OF 780,000 KILOWATTS PER DAY

STEP 2: How much energy does 1 square mile of solar panels produce?

STEP 2: HINTS One Square yard of land receives 5 Kilowatts of energy a day Convert to Square Miles – (1760 yards in a mile, 3097600 square yards in a square mile) Solar Efficiency is 20%, Multiply with 0.2 Convert to Megawatts (Divide by1000)

STEP 2: Answer 3098 MEGAWATT PER DAY

STEP 3: How many square miles of solar plants will produce enough energy for California? ANSWER: 250 SQUARE MILES

STEP 4: How much is 250 square miles? Example: around 1/10 size of death valley

Without any harmful products! Think about it! We can use Solar Energy in 1/10 of death valley to provide enough energy for all of California. Without any harmful products!

Energy Action Checklist!

Conservation Things you can do to conserve energy! 1. Turn off the lights or heating when not in use. 2. Turn off entertainment devices when not in use (TV, game systems). 3. Unplug your phone charger and other appliances when not in use. 4. Use energy saving light bulbs. 5. Shut down computer. 6. Use “smart” power strips. 7. Use natural light, heat and cooling. 8. Talk to your parents about energy saving appliances for your home; programming digital thermostats and about making home improvements. (windows, doors) 11. Take shorter showers, close the water tap when not in use. 12. Avoid a flight or a driving trip when it is not essential.

Efficiency Things you can do cut down your impact 1. Ride a bike/bus/train instead of driving the car and ride-share 2. Replace an old refrigerator and other appliances with energy efficient ones 3. Replace a big car with a more efficient model 4. Take lunch instead of purchasing takeout 5. Insulate the water heater 6. Insulate the house with better windows and air seal the house 7. Recycle and buy recycled goods 8. Choose Organic 9. Calculate your footprint 10. Market your products online instead of on paper

Questions about anything we have studied this week? If you want to get involved with One Million Lights, want to give us feedback or have questions, email: educate@onemillionlights.org Thank you!!!