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How much more power can a solar panel capture from the sun by using an active tracking system?

CSEF · 2023 Alternative Energy Third Award

Tsao Danielle · 8

Overview

The purpose of this experiment is to create an active solar panel system that captures more energy than an earlier passive design. This helps society by reducing the need for fossil fuels and reducing global warming. The question is whether a tracking solar panel can increase the electrical conversion efficiency as well as use otherwise wasted thermal energy to further heat up the water. The hypothesis is if a solar panel with heatsinks rotates in a manner continually perpendicular to the sun’s rays, then it would produce more electricity and the thermal energy transferred will heat the water up more than the static solar panel with heat sinks. Independent variable: the different types of solar panels. Dependent variables: the amount of electrical power and heat produced. Tested variants: a rotating solar panel with heat sinks and a water tank, a static solar panel with heatsinks and a water tank, a static solar panel without heatsinks, and an exposed water tank. Controls are the solar panel without heatsinks and the exposed water tanks. The power is measured by a multimeter and the temperature of the water is measured by a thermometer. An Arduino is used to collect data. The productivity of the solar panel increased by 70% and the water temperature increased by 10% compared to the controls. The hypothesis which appeared to be supported is: An active solar tracking solar panel with heatsinks captures more solar power than a static one with heatsinks.

Source coverage

This record comes from a published award list, not a complete project archive. Its abstract comes from CSEF's public project showcase as archived by the Internet Archive before judging (https://web.archive.org/web/20230401224130/https://ca-csef.zfairs.com/showcase/ShowcaseInfo?f=838e60b7-ea75-46e8-865c-fde4864244b3); the version presented may differ.

Awards (2)

Competition history

  • CSEF 2023 Alternative Energy · Entry J0205

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