Sustainable Energy: Spring 2013

SOLAR PROJECT:

Data Representation+Phys. Comp.


Erika Maher

WHY ICE?




Not only is melting ice an indicator that the Earth's climate is warming, it is also important because of something called the Albedo Effect.

DATA SET: ARctic Sea Ice Extent 1980-2012

D
Concept and INspiration:
Data Representational Lighting Installation with Solar Power


 



PROCESS:


1. Looked for working solar kit

- Thought I found the one working battery in the ER, but the panel gathered light for over 3 days and the battery never charged

2. Built circuit

- Decided to use different grades of resistors to control light brightness

3. Gathered fabrication materials

- All except electronic components and paint were used/junk items

4. Investigated energy alternative

- Experimented with using only the solar panel from the SunTransfer2 (solar lantern) kits and a Lowel Tota lamp.  Connected the 9V output solar panel directly to Arduino and was able to power circuit.

5. Renamed project:

- "Photovoltaic" in place of "Solar"


Challenges:
Monday                                                                                                                               Tuesday

                                             

Wednesday                                                                                                                 Thursday

                                         


Solution:

Turn electricity into light and turn it back into electricity!


Notes:

Project Sketch

Materials:

Arduino

Breadboard+Components

9V Output SunTransfer Solar Panel (2W crystalline silicon)

800W / 6.3 A Lowel Toto Lamp

Old Glass Jars

Six (6) 3.2V 20mA Bright White LEDs

Scrap wood, fabric, cardboard, foam board

Hot glue, staples

system input/consumption

Lowel light: requires 120 V/6.3A / outputs 830 W

       For 5 minutes operation: 240,000 J


Solar panel: outputs 9V, 2W

       For 5 minutes operation: 600 J


Arduino: requires 5 V and ~ 240 mA (40 mA/I-O pin x 6 pins)

       For 5 minutes operation: peak energy = 1.65 J


Conclusion: system loses a lot of energy through heat


measurements

Energy Converter:  4.75" x 5.5" pure silicon solar panel

Open Circuit Voltage
Brightest:  Bulb 1)   1.1V
                       Bulb 2)    0.5V
Medium:    Bulb 1)    1.8V
                       Bulb 2)    1.3V
Dimmest   Bulb  1)    1.9V
                       Bulb  2)    1.9V
Short Circuit Current
Brightest:  Bulb  1)    0.6 mA
                        Bulb  2)   1.3 mA
Medium:     Bulb  1)   .52 mA
                        Bulb  2)   .73 mA
Dimmest:   Bulb  1)    .11 mA
                        Bulb  2)    .10 mA

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By erikahan

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