EDMUND RICE HIGH SCHOOL SINON

Solar Panel Project Report

Ramadhan Mussa Raphael Kiwovele Elkana Lyanga Rodgers Patrick Garreth Mwakuluzo 10/10/2011

FORM VI

The following report shows the research of the Form VI students of Edmund Rice into the applications of solar panel technology and in particular the use of the solar panel donated by St Thomas High School New Zealand.

Aim: To research the use of photovoltaics and their application in Tanzania. To find a way to best utilize the solar panel donated by St Thomas High School, New Zealand to provide the most benefit to the students of Edmund Rice High School. To proceed with the installation of the solar panel in its best application. Introduction: A great amount of energy can be harnessed from the sun. The amount of energy reaching the Earths surface every day from the Sun is far greater than the energy needs of man for the foreseeable future. The key to using this vast source of energy is developing cost effective methods for collecting and storing this energy. Once this is done solar energy can contribute significantly to satisfying mans ever growing energy requirements. This solar energy received has a range of frequencies and wavelengths from lower frequency (longer wavelength) of infrared to the higher frequency radiation of ultraviolet. It is this higher frequency radiation, visible light and ultraviolet light which can be harnessed to produce an electrical current. The basic method for using solar energy is to provide a system that can collect and store energy, the collector is able to convert the solar radiation into electrical energy which can then be stored as chemical energy in rechargeable batteries. Storage of this energy is necessary for times when the sun is not shining and can also be delivered to the electrical power companys transmission systems. The following diagram illustrates briefly how solar energy systems work. The type of collector is determined by the type of energy conversion required. In our case our solar energy collector is a photovoltaic cell and the energy is stored as chemical energy in a rechargeable 12V battery.

Figure1: Solar Energy system

The most common conversion of solar energy into electricity is through the use of a semiconductor light sensitive (photovoltaic) diode converter, commonly called a solar cell. Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electricity at an atomic level. Some materials exhibit a property known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb photons of light and release electrons. When these free electrons are captured, an electric current results that can be used to power a load.

Figure 2: Diagram of a photovoltaic cell showing layers of semiconducting material. The material which is used in the solar panel which exhibits the photoelectric effect is a silicon semiconductor. The silicon on the n-type side has been doped with an impurity which allows many free electrons on that side of the junction. The silicon on the other side of the junction has been doped with an impurity which causes lack of electrons, these voids in the electronic structure are called holes. When the visible or ultraviolet light is incident on the n-type silicon the electrons are excited and knocked loose from the atoms. If electronic conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of the semiconductor junction, this forms an electrical circuit and the free electrons can be captured in a circuit. The holes move in the opposite direction to the electrons and this is defined as the direction of the current flow. Due to the semiconductors acting as diodes the output current is direct current. Applications of this solar panel technology include the following: i) Solar panels can be used to charge storage systems such as rechargeable batteries which then supply power to electrical equipment and household electrical devices such as radios, televisions and refrigerators. Many solar panels have been used for this purpose in many communities across Tanzania without other access to power.

ii) iii) iv)

Solar panels can be used for household lighting if the current produced is converted to alternating current using an inverter. Solar panels can be used to provide heating for hot-water systems. Solar panels play an important role in providing energy for non-rotating satellites. The solar cells are mounted on large flat panels that automatically adjust to a position to receive maximum solar radiation and provide power to the satellite. The European Space Agency (ESA) is researching the possibility of solar power satellites that would generate electricity in space and beam them to Earth via laser or microwaves.

Project Plan: Project Outline The solar panel will be used to charge the 12V battery attached to the schools backup generator. The generator is the only other source of power to the school when the main power goes out, which it does frequently. The school has had difficulty in maintaining charge in this battery and it will often go flat. The solar panel will keep this battery continually charged. The solar panel will be installed on the roof of the shed directly above the generators and battery. It will be installed in a position that will maximize the energy received from the sun. The solar panel that we have received is designed to recharge a 12V rechargeable battery. It has dimensions of 31cm by 93cm and a power output of 10W. Providing adequate maintenance it is durable enough to work efficiently for 25 years and withstand physical and environmental factors such as rain, hailstones, dust and intense sunshine. This is due to its hard glass surface and design features such as its non-reflecting surface. Design considerations Although the ideal angle for the solar panel to receive maximum sunlight over the period of the day is facing 3 north, the panel will be placed at an angle of 30 to reduce the interference caused by a nearby tree. Testing of the solar panel on the roof under these conditions revealed that during overcast conditions the output voltage is 20.5V, partially cloudy conditions is 23.8V and full sunlight is 25.8V. These results indicate that the output voltage with the solar panel placed in that position is sufficient to charge the battery. Materials Required: A metal frame which is 32cm x 94cm is required and will be attached to the roof so that the solar panel will be mounted on this frame and will be held securely. An extra 2m of wiring is required to reach the batteries. A ladder is required to complete the installation of the frame and solar panel. This is to be completed by the schools maintenance officer.

Maintenance: The solar panel will need to be cleaned regularly to ensure that there is not a buildup of dust on the panels surface which would affect its efficiency. Discussion: 1. What were the problems encountered? There is a large tree which overhangs the shed containing the generator which blocks the sunlight from falling directly onto the solar panel. There is also the possibility that the branches could fall down and damage the panel. The angle of inclination of the roof is not the angle that would maximize the amount of sunlight collected. The wiring provided by the manufacturer isnt long enough to reach the batteries from the roof. 2. How were these problems overcome? A number of solutions to the problem of the overhanging tree were considered including placing the panel on another nearby shed. However this solution would be impractical as even though it would receive full sunshine at that point a large amount of wire would be required and the overhanging wires would be too dangerous. Removing the tree would also be impractical so the final solution is to trim back the tree branches and constantly trim the tree so that there are no overhanging branches. The frame will be designed to incline at an angle of 30 whic h during testing maximizes the output voltage. A further 2m of wiring have been purchased so that the solar panel can be attached to the battery. 3. What where some of the other applications considered? Some of the other applications of this solar panel that were considered were: o Lighting of students rooms, this would require an inverter to convert the current to ac. o Provide a constant power supply for the alarm system which would be activated at night. Conclusion The most efficient use of the solar panel donated to us by St Thomas High School is to recharge the battery connected to the backup generator. In this application the solar panel will stop the battery from going flat and power will be available to the school when the main power goes out.

References Alternative Energy: Solar Power- News and Information about Solar Panel Technologies [2011] http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/solar-power/ Solar Panels- Residential Solar Panel Kits [2011] http://www.mrsolar.com/ Solar Panel Info [2011] http://www.solarpanelonline.info/