Energy Science Fair Projects About Mirrored Solar Cells

Solar Cells

What is a solar cell? A solar cell is a solar energy collection system that magnifies the sun's rays with mirrors.

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Ages 10 thru College	Ages 12 thru High School	Age 8 and up

Objectives/Goals

Conventional solar energy usually means dozens of expensive solar panels pointed at the sun. A alternative form of solar energy is to use mirrors to focus more light onto a solar cell; another is to use large lenses to focus the light. Which of these methods is most cost effective to use on a large scale? HYPOTHESIS: The method of mirrors will be the cheapestto produce solar energy because it is cheaper to polish pieces of glass than to shape plastic or glass into lenses.

Methods/Materials

One: Ordered solar cells from Edmund; bought mirrors from Michael's; bought a Fresnel lens from Office Depot. Two: Recieved the solar cells and had to find out how to assemble them. Three: With the solar cells assembled, I need to set up the mirrors and lens. Will use parts from a Vex Robotics Kit. Four: With the mirrors and lens set up, I need a method of measuring the output of the solar cells. I found a way on the internet, but need a load resistor and two multi-meters (borrowed from my father). Five: On a sunny day, I took 10 readings each of: 1) Solar Cell alone; 2) Solar Cell with Lens; 3) Solar Cell with 8 mirrors. Had to use a Neutral Density Filter to keep the solar cells from overloading.

Materials: Fresnel lens, 2 solar cells, 8 mirrors, a wooden pole, 8 clamps, 16 small nuts and bolts, 2 multi-meters, 4 bendable pieces of metal, wire, a 4.8 ohm resistor, and a 1.0 ND Filter.

Results

In Power/Dollar my results were: 160 microwatts/$ for the solar cell alone; 733 microwatts/$ for the solar cell with lens; 951 microwatts/$ for the solar cell with mirrors.

Conclusions/Discussion

My experimentation confirmed my hypothosis that a solar cell with mirrors would put out the most energy per dollar. Even though the lens system put out a higher average of 10,265.74 microwatts compared to the mirror system's 6657.8743 microwatts, because mirrors are cheaper than lenses, the mirror system was more cost effective. 3rd party contributor

Sometimes short or unusual science fair projects are best.