Photovoltaic Characterization Lab
Overview In this lab you will measure the current versus voltage for several photovoltaic cells using computer probeware. The cells are tested under varying resistance loads and varying light levels. Essential Question How can you compare the efficiency of two solar cells and determine the peak power? Background Solar cells produce different voltages and currents depending on the light levels and resistance in the circuit. How can you tell what the peak power of solar cell is? This is the method that researcher use to measure and compare the power from various solar cells. It uses a simple technique with computer probeware to measure the current/voltage curve of a...
Rainbow Bookmarker
[vc_row][vc_column][mkd_section_title title="Rainbow Bookmarks" title_size="large" title_color="" title_text_align="" margin_bottom="" width=""][vc_column_text]In this activity, students trap an extremely thin layer of clear nail polish which causes interference of light waves making a rainbow layer on a black bookmark. PDF[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="30px"][vc_hoverbox image="18203" primary_title="" primary_align="left" hover_title="QUESTION" shape="square" el_width="30" align="left"]What happens when light reflects off thin layers of materials?[/vc_hoverbox][vc_empty_space height="40px"][mkd_accordion style="boxed_toggle" el_class="GLOWING COLORS"][mkd_accordion_tab icon_pack="" title="Background"][vc_column_text]The reason the rainbow is seen is because the layer of clear nail polish is so thin that it reflects light in different wavelengths. Slight difference in thickness cause light waves of different length to interfere with each other-- sometimes cancelling and sometimes reinforcing. Other examples of...
Modeling Solar Grid Integration with Math
Overview The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the students to the challenges of integrating solar energy to the electricity grid with the use of numerical simulations. More specifically, it is meant to shed light on the advantages (mentioned in the introduction of this document) and on the challenges (challenges 1 and 2 from the introduction) of solar energy. Solar Integration Lesson Essential Question: How can we optimize energy prices by controlling load and production? NGSS Standards: Standard Number Standard text HS-ETS-1 Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants. HS-ETS-2 Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by...