2
SOLAR POWER PROJECT PACK
INTRODUCTION
Solar energy has been an important form of power for many years
but it is only recently, with the development of efficient low cost
solar panels, that its use has become more widespread. Today’s
applications of solar power range from spacecraft and unmanned
aircraft to street lights, parking meters and calculators. The mono-
crystalline solar panel supplied in this pack (code: EL1 006)
provides opportunities for a wide range of interesting investigations
and project applications, particularly when combined with the
amazing storage potential of a supercapacitor (code: EC4 050), also
supplied in the pack. This booklet highlights some of these
investigations and applications.
roticapacrepuSlenapraloS
Output: 4.5 volt @ 100mA 10 Farad, 2.5V
Code: EL1 006 Code: EC4 050
CONNECTING THE SOLAR PANEL
For temporary connections to the solar panel it is suggested that a
terminal block (supplied) or terminal posts (available separately) be
used. For added protection the solar panel may be stuck to a rigid
base using double sided sticky pads.
LIGHT SOURCES
The output from the solar panel depends on the light level; the
brighter the light, the greater the output. Bright sunlight or
powerful halogen lights will produce the best output from the solar
panel. The rechargeable cordless spotlight available from Teaching
Resources (code: TOO 073) is an ideal artificial light source. A
standard 60 watt or 100 watt electric lamp is also a good light
source but care should be taken due to the heat of these bulbs.
blue
(-ve)
red
(+ve) (-ve)
(+ve)
7
Investigating Glow-in-the-Dark Materials
Using a solar panel connected to a multimeter it is possible to
investigate light emission from glow in the dark materials. For
example, a piece of glow in the dark film (code: SM1 016) may be
‘charged up’ under a bright light then placed in front of the solar
panel in a light-proof box. By observing meter readings it is then
possible to plot a graph showing how the light emission from the
material varies with time. Another investigation involves the use
of different light sources to energise the glow in the dark material.
Which types of light are most or least effective?
APPENDIX 1 - MAKING THE SOLAR BUGGY
1. Punch or drill two holes in
the chassis plate for the solar
gearbox and one hole for the
front axle assembly.
2. Fix the gearbox to the
chassis using screws and
nuts and press a plastic
wheel onto each end of the
axle.
3. Fix the double connecting
block and the solar panel to
the chassis using double-
sided sticky pads.
4. Secure the wires from the
gearbox and solar panel in
the connecting block.
OFF
V
600
200
A
200µ
20m
V
2000µ
200m
10
600
200
20
2000m
200m
2000k
200k
20k
2000 200
Ω
hFE
10ADC
VΩmA
COM
TEACHING
RESOURCES
DT-830B
NPN PNP
E
B
C
E
E
C
B
E
solar
panel
glow in the
dark film
light-
proof
box
output
time
