1. Solar Power
Shaw STEM Lab-2016

2. Objectives
By the end of this engagement you and your partner should be able to
Describe how solar power works
Explain how the angle of a solar panel effects how much energy it receives
Explain energy conversion
Cite the definition and difference for Voltage and Current
Describe the difference between AC and DC electricity
Explain the difference between wiring in series and wiring in parallel

3. Solar Power Solar Power uses the sun to generate electricity
Click on the icon to the right and watch the video to learn more!

4. Direct Current
DC vs. AC
DC or Direct Current is a type of electrical current that flows in one direction only.
Example: Things that require batteries, like a cell phone
AC or Alternating Current is a type of electrical current that reverses its direction many times a second at regular intervals.
Example: Lights in our room, the outlet on the wall
Look at the graphics to the right.
Notice how the DC electrical current only flows one direction and the
AC electrical current reverses direction over and over
Alternating Current

5. Voltage & Current
Voltage is measure in Volts, and Current is measured in Amps.
Think of these two things like a system of plumbing pipes. The voltage is equal to the water pressure in the pipes and the current is equal to the flow of the water through the pipes.

6. Different Wiring types
In a series circuit, the voltage (Volts) will increase with each additional panel, but the current will stay the same. To connect your panels in series, “daisy-chain” the panels together as shown in the picture.
If you wire something in parallel, the current (Amps) will increase with each additional panel, but the voltage will not change.
See the picture to the right.

7. Experiment #1a Check out the Solar Power kit.
Connect all three solar panels to the demo board using the Velcro.
Wire all three solar panels in series to the multimeter.
Set the multimeter to the setting below.
Be sure you’re setting it to DC not AC.
Record the number of volts.

8. Experiment #1b Check out the Solar Power kit.
Connect two solar panels to the demo board using the Velcro.
Wire two solar panels in series to the multimeter.
Set the multimeter to the setting below.
Be sure you’re setting it to DC not AC.
Record the number of volts.

9. Experiment #1c Check out the Solar Power kit.
Connect one solar panels to the demo board using the Velcro.
Wire one solar panel in series to the multimeter.
Set the multimeter to the setting below.
Be sure you’re setting it to DC not AC.
Record the number of volts.

10. Questions/Research
What happened to the volts measured on the multimeter as you decreased the number of solar panels connected?
Describe the two ways the sun can generate electricity.
Explain the difference between DC and AC electrical currents.

11. Experiment #2a
Connect all three solar panels to the demo board using the Velcro.
Wire all three solar panels in parallel to the multimeter.
Set the multimeter to the setting below.
Be sure you’re setting it to DC not AC.
Record the number of volts.

12. Experiment #2b
Connect two solar panels to the demo board using the Velcro.
Wire two solar panels in parallel to the multimeter.
Set the multimeter to the setting below.
Be sure you’re setting it to DC not AC.
Record the number of volts.

13. Experiment #2c
Connect one solar panels to the demo board using the Velcro.
Wire one solar panel in parallel to the multimeter.
Set the multimeter to the setting below.
Be sure you’re setting it to DC not AC.
Record the number of volts.

14. Questions/Research
What happened to the volts measured on the multimeter as you decreased the number of solar panels connected?

15. Experiment #3: Solar Panel Angle
Connect all three solar panels to the demo board using the Velcro.
Connect the solar panels in series to the multimeter.
Point the demo board and solar panels at the sun.
Do not look directly at the sun!
Using the protractor set the board to an angle of 0 degree.
Record the number of volts.
Repeat this with the angle of the demo board at 20 degrees, 40 degrees, and 60 degrees.
Record the number of volts for each angle.

16. Questions/Research
Describe what happened to the number of measured volts as the angle of the demo board increased.
Which angle was the best?

17. Experiment #4: Compass Direction
After you’ve determined the best angle for the solar panels, let’s determine which direction on a compass is best for solar power.
Using a compass, determine which direction is North, South, East and West.
Using the best angle that you determined in Experiment #3, point the solar panels and demo board North, South, East and West.
Record the measured volts from each direction.

18. Questions/Research
Describe what you noticed about the measured number of volts as you moved the demo board to different locations on a compass.
Which direction was the best to face your solar panels?

19. Ready for more…?
Ask Mr. Ochs for the rest of the Solar Power kit and keep it going!