Names:___________________________________________________________Date_______Block____
Goal: To investigate the factors that affect energy production and efficiency from solar panels.
Factors to be considered:
Data Collection:
Panel Type:_________________________
Time of day
Angle
(o )
0⁰
10⁰
20⁰
30⁰
40⁰
50⁰
60⁰
70⁰
80⁰
90⁰
Current
(mA)
Date
Voltage
(V)
Power
(W)
Peak Angle
Direction
N
(0⁰/360⁰)
NE(45⁰)
E(90⁰)
SE(135⁰)
S(180⁰)
SW(225⁰)
W(270⁰)
NW(315⁰)
Current
(mA)
Voltage
(V)
Power
(W)
Graphs: Plot the above data tables in the graphs below.
Independent Variable:_____________
Dependent Variable:_______________
Looking at your graph, record the angle that maximizes the milliamps produced.
Angle_________________⁰
Independent Variable:_____________
Dependent Variable:_______________
Looking at your graph, record the direction that maximizes the milliamps produced.
Direction_________________⁰
Panel Type:____________________
Time of Day:________
Date
Amps x Volts = Watts
Panel Specifications:
__________________cm²
___________________Watts (Watts = Amps x Volts)
___________________m²
_________________________W/m²
Analysis:
1.
The cost of a (circle one) mono, poly, thin film panel is $1.10, 1.06,0.84/watt and each panel is
200 watts.
The number of panels needed to make a 100kW system is _________________.
The school has a 100kW system, the total school start up cost is_____________.
2.
Using that the school has a 100kW system, calculate the cost if the school was using your type
of panel.
3. Given that the school is charged $.04/kWh, uses on average 205,000 kWh’s per month, and the
solar panels on average decrease the energy use by 6%, calculate the average dollars saved per
month.
4.
How many years will it take Lakewood to pay off the start up costs of your type of solar panels?
Using your answer from above and given that the system will last 30 years, do you think that
installing your type of solar panels would be a good investment?
5.
Using your graphs decide what angle and direction you would you place your type solar panels
in order to maximize efficiency.
6.
After listening to the other group’s presentations answer the following questions:
a.
If you were a contractor that was installing solar panels on schools which type of solar panel
would you use and why?
b.
What factors would you have to consider for each individual school?
7.
Explain how the time of day and time of year will affect your results.
8.
Go to sunposition.info, click on the sun position calculator and fill out the chart below.
Date
Peak Angle(deg)
Direction of peak
angle (deg)
Summer Solstice
Autumn Equinox
Winter Solstice
Vernal Equinox
9. From the information above, determine the optimum angle and direction of you solar panels.
Angle:_____________
Direction:__________