TITLE OF PROJECT: MAKING A MULTI SOLAR ENERGY SAVING DEVICE
NAME OF SCHOOL: Richard Ishmael Secondary
ADDRESS: Woolford Avenue, Thomas Land, Georgetown.
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 0592 226- 6615
NAME OF TEAM MEMBERS: Aba Crawford (Leader)
Faith Stephens
Shem Persaud
Shaina Whitehead
Suresh Arjune
NAME OF TEACHER: Kamini Ramrattan
MENTOR: Not provided
PROBLEM STATEMENT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM
Our school is tremendously affected from daily power outages caused by Guyana Power and
Light Inc. This power outage is so frequent about two to three hours daily which affected our
daily activities in school and various departments suffered terrible loses. The Home Economic
laboratory suffered great loses due to the spoilage of food stuff which is stored in the
refrigerator. In the Science laboratory students are debarred from carrying out experiments
due to the lack of light to make their observation and teachers also cannot do what they
planned. The electric bell that signals to assemble students fails to work; hence students are
left at a lost not knowing when the period ended and time for the next period. The Information
Technology laboratory also suffered because the computers cannot be used and other electrical
devices so teaching of Information Technology is not possible with chalk and talk only. We the
students have a solution to this problem by making a multi solar energy device to power the
school with electricity. Solar panel and a wind mill will be used to harness the energy and then
used at different interval depending on the speed of wind. By doing this it will save time, money
and we will have electricity daily without any disruption and smooth running of our school with
no more power outages.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
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To provide electricity without any disturbances, that is, power outages.
To reduce money spent to pay bills.
To provide electricity for a smooth running of the school on a daily basis.
To provide light to the environment and the streets.
To provide electricity in the night for the children to do homework and the parents to
charge their cell phones.
APPROACH OR PROPOSED SOLUTION
Methods of investigation that we used were:
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Surveys were done throughout the schools.
Data were collected.
Online research were done
Cost analysis was done.
Our team decided to use the energy sources e.g. wind and sun. But before doing so we had
gather our materials and information on each source of energy used to convert it into
current such as solar panel was used to convert solar energy then the windmill or wind
turbine was used to convert wind energy.
Solar panels are usually placed on the roof of the building in this case the roof the school.
Inside of these panels are blackened tubes that have water circulating through them. The
sun heats the water as it moves through the tubes. The heated water then provides heat
and hot water for the building. Light energy from the sun can be converted directly into
electricity with a solar cell. A cell is a photoelectric cell also known as photovoltaic (solar).
Unfortunately, these cells are very expensive and it only produces a small amount of
electricity. When the sun’s rays hit the solar cells the light energy is converted to
electricity. The direct current (DC) is stored in batteries. If alternating current (AC) is
required a power converter is used. Research was done on the possibility of establishing
orbiting stations with satellites having huge solar panels of cell” which could capture the
solar energy for twenty four (24) hours, thus making maximum use of the sun’s energy.
For centuries wind turbines have harness the force of wind to pump water and grind grain.
Around 1910, the first wind turbines were built in Europe to produce electricity. Today
advances in technology and the need for renewable energy sources has made wind a fast
growing of electricity. On top of each wind turbine is a box known as a nacelle. Attached to
the nacelle are three propellers like blades that connect to a rotor. Also on the nacelle is an
anemometer to measure wind, speed and direction.
The wind direction rotates the nacelle to face into the wind. The energy in the wind
(called kinetic energy) turns the turbine blades around the rotor (creating mechanical
energy). The rotors connect to the main shelf, which turns inside the generator housing.
Here, a magnetic rotor spins inside loops of copper wire. This causes electrons inside the
copper to flow; creating electrical energy (what we call electricity in our body lives).
The electricity generated then travels down large cables from the nacelle, through the
tower and into an underground cable. At wind farms, cables from different turbines take
the electricity generated to a substation.
Here, a step up transformer again increases the electrical output. A transmission line
connects the electricity output at the substation to the electrical grid serving communities
throughout the region. Wind power can also be used in refrigeration to circulate air for
cooling purposes and to dry crops.
How to build the solar panel
•Cells were purchased from the local hardware store.
•Then cleaned wax off of the cells by dipping them in hot, but not boiling water.
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Measure and cut a board by leaving an extra inch or two at both ends of the board. This space
will be used for the wires that connect the rows together.
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Measure and cut all of your tabbing wire.
Then connect tabbing wire to run down the two larger lines and connect to the back of the next
cell in the array.
Measure the length of that larger line, double the length, and then cut two pieces for each cell.
Use the flux pen on each of the three squares (or strip) of each line (usually 2 or 3 lines) on the
back of the cell.
Melt a thin coat of solder on the squares/strips of the back of cells. (Note: this step is not
necessary if you purchase pre-soldered tabbing which is better since it cuts time in half, heats up
the cells only once and wastes less solder)
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Heat the first half of a tabbing wire on top of the soldered squares/strip to bond it to the cell.
Repeat for other strips.
Connecting the Cells
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Glue the cells to the board. Put a small amount of glue at the back-center of the cells and then
press them into place on the board. The tabbing wire should run in a single, straight line through
each row. Make sure the ends of the tabbing wire are coming up between the cells and are free
to move, with just the two pieces sticking up between each cell. Keep in mind that one row will
have to run in the direction opposite to the one next to it, so that the tabbing wire sticks out at
the end of one row and on the opposite side of the next. •You should plan to put the cells in
long rows, with a fewer number of rows. For example, three rows each consisting of 12 cells
placed long side-to-long side.
•Remember to leave an extra inch at both ends of the board.
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Solder the cells together. Apply flux to the length of the two thick lines (contact pads) on each
cell, then take the free sections of tabbing wire and solder them to the entire length of the pads.
Note: The tabbing wire connected to the back of one cell should connect to the front of the next
cell in every case
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Connect the first row using bus wire. At the beginning of the first row, solder tabbing wire to the
front of the first cell. The tabbing wire should be about an inch longer than needed to cover the
lines, and extend towards the extra gap on the board. Now, solder those two wires together
with a piece of bus wire, the same size as the distance between the thick lines of the cell.
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Connect the second row. Connect the end of the first row to the beginning of the second with a
long piece of bus wire which extends between the two far thick wires (the one at the edge of
the panel and the second being the furthest away in the next row). You will need to prepare the
first cell of the second row with extra tabbing wire, as you did with the first.
•Connect all four wires to this bus wire
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Continue connecting the rows. Continue connecting the rows with the long bus wires until you
reach the end, where you will connect it with a short bus wire again.
Building Your Panel Box
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Measure your cell panel. Measure the space taken up by the panel on which you have placed
your cells. You will need the box to be at least this big. Add 1” to every side, to allow space for
the sides of the box. If there will not be a free 1x1” square spot at each corner after adding the
panel, also leave room for this.
Make sure that there is enough space for the bus wires at the end as well.
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Paint the box whatever color you prefer. Consider using white or reflective colors since this will
keep the box cooler and cells perform better when they are cool. Use paint designed for
outdoor use. This paint will help protect the wood from the elements and make your panel last
longer.
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Attach the solar panel. Glue the panel with the cells which you constructed into the box. Make
sure that it is secure and that the cells are facing up and can get sunlight.
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Connect the final bus wire to a diode. Get a diode a little bigger than the amperage of your
panel and connect it to the bus wire, securing it with some silicone. The light colored end (aka
white-striped end) of the diode should be pointing towards where the negative end of the
battery (or device) goes. The other end should be wired to the negative end of your panel. This
prevents energy from travelling back through the solar panel from the battery when not
charging
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Connect the wires. Connect a black wire to the diode and run it to a terminal block which you
will need to mount on the side of the box. Then connect a white wire from the short bus wire on
the opposite side to the terminal block.
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Connect your panel to a charge controller. Purchase a charge controller and connect the panel
to the controller, making sure to connect the positive and negative correctly. Run the wires from
the terminal block to the charge controller, using color coded wire to keep track of the charges.
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Connect the charge controller to your batteries. Buy batteries which will work with the size of
the panels you built. Connect the charge controller to the batteries according to the
manufacturer’s instructions
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Use the batteries. Once you have the batteries connected and charged from the panel or panels,
you can run your electronics off of the batteries depending on the amount of power you need
for them. Enjoy your free power!
How to build the wind mill
The tower will serve as the base of your windmill and can be crafted from anything that will hold it solid
and steady, from wood beams to a weighted quart jug.
 The tower must be tall enough to keep the blades of the windmill from touching the
ground as they spin. This will also depend on the length of your blades.
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For a traditional looking Dutch-style windmill, you can cover the base in cardboard,
construction paper, or even make bricks from sugar cubes to make it resemble a
miniature structure. This is also a means for concealing the DC motor inside the windmill
for a more attractive finished model.
Build the windmill blades. The blades will catch air and spin to power your windmill. They should be
fairly light and positioned on a slight angle to better catch wind.
 Just like the tower, the blades can be crafted from a variety of materials depending on
what you have on hand and the look you are trying to achieve.
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Pre-made blades could be used from a small fan or a pinwheel toy. You could cut blades
in your preferred shape from cardboard or balsa wood. For the authentic windmill look,
bend the blade shape out of wire, and then cover them with tissue paper or a
lightweight fabric.
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The blades must be joined in the center around an object that can be mounted onto the
spindle of your Dynamo (basically functioning like a wheel on an axle). This could be a
wooden disk with a center hole drilled in, or even a piece of cork.
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Most model windmills utilize 4 evenly spaced blades.
Attach the Dynamo. These small, dynamos can be purchased from few electronics stores . The size of
the dynamo will depend on the size of your windmill, but most dynamos are 1.5 to 4.5 volts. When
attached to a windmill at the spindle, the spinning blades create an electrical current within the
dynamo. If the dynamo is wired to a light bulb (and if you are creating enough electricity) the bulb will
light up.
 Securely mount the dynamo to the top of the windmill's tower with the spindle facing forward and
extending over the front edge.
Attach the windmill blades. The blades will be mounted onto the spindle (metal point) of the Dynamo.
The mounting must hold the spindle securely so that it spins smoothly as the blades turn.
Connect the dynamo to an LED light. This will allow the electricity generated in the motor to light up the
LED.
o Use two wires (preferably copper at least 6 inches (15 cm) in length). Connect each wire
separately to the two leads on the back of the dynamo. Each lead should have one wire
connected to it.
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Connect the other end of the wires to the two ends of an LED light, with one connected to
the negative terminal and the other connected to the positive terminal.
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Test the connection by quickly spinning the blades of the windmill to light up the LED.
QUESTIONARIE
1. Do your school experience power outages?
o Yes
o No
o
2. How often do you have power outages in your school?
o Once per week
o Twice per month
o More frequently
o Less frequently
3. Do the power outages affect you?
o Yes
o No
If yes, state how you are affected.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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4. How many departments in your school are affected by the power outages?
o More than four
o Less than four
QUESTION 3 SURVEY
QUESTION 4 SURVEY
Resources Needed
MATERIALS
AMOUNT
Solar panel
750 US$
Wood board
18 to $90US$
Measuring tape
1to $2US$
Glue
1US$
20 to 100 US$
Wood
300 to 500 US$
Cardboard
350 to $550 US$
Construction paper
1 US$
Scientist has already invented this device that harnesses the alternative energy sources such as
solar panel for solar energy and wind turbine for wind energy. Our team intended to build an
energy storage device so as to harness the energy. We will be harnessing two renewable energy
sources at the same time.
In Guyana we experience dry season and the sun very hot so we can use the solar energy and
also our school is just two corners away from the Atlantic Ocean so we can use the wind for the
wind turbine.
USE OF STEM
PROJECT TOPIC
LINK TO STEM
Electricity and magnetism
Physics
Circuit design
Physics
Principles of the battery
Chemistry and Physics
Calculations
Mathematics
Design the wind turbines and solar panels
Technology
Where on the building to place the solar
panels and wind turbine
Engineering
Solar energy has some disadvantages such as:
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Its intensity is irregular.
It is difficult to store.
Initial costs are high.
However, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Advantages
include:
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It is clean
It is pollution-free
It does not consume any of the earth’s resources.
It is plentiful.
There are several advantages in using wind power. There several advantages in using wind
power. These are:
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It is clean and pollution free
It is attractive
It is readily available when needed
It does not use up the earth’s resources and once established recurrent expresses
are low
The disadvantages are:
 The speed of wind varies
 Difficulties in maintaining equipment high above the ground and
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Lighting may damage cumber some equipment
The advantages clearly out weight the disadvantages and as technology
continues to improve wind power would be used in diverse ways.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Letters were written to the PTA and meetings were held.
Fund raising and donations were given by the PTA and the community members.
Community members were very happy and we got full support from them and they are willing
to help.
Have electricity at all times during the day in school to keep our computer running, the school’s
bell, light in the laboratory and the refrigerator.
In the community the children would be able to do homework with high quality light in the
night. The parents can keep their phone charged at all times and the community with be bright
with streets light.
REFERENCES
Science in daily life by Myrana Bernard, Cherly Mc Donald, Joy o Jon.
Human Biology Tenth Edition By Sylvia S. Mader.
Prentice Hall Life Science By Jill Wright, Jean Hopkins.
Google
Physics for CSEC
Chemistry For CSEC.