Analysis
In the solar energy science investigation we received significant data. The results showed an increase of solar energy during certain hours in the day and a significant decrease in others. When the experiment started, the solar panel received less than one volt. However, as the day increased, this was not so. There was a steady increase during the day went by and sun got brighter. At nine o’clock in the morning, the solar panel was already receiving 6.3 volts and then increased to 6.7 volts at 12 o’clock. However, the peak was at 2:30 P.M. when the solar panel received 7 volts of electricity. This sudden peak was due to a break in clouds. Then later in the day, at 3:00 PM, the voltage slowly went down from 6.5, to 6.3 at four and then to 6 at five o’clock then finally to 3.5 when there was hardly any sunlight left. The results were very conclusive. The solar panel started at a low voltage and then grew at its peak hours and then shrunk back down during sunset. However there were faults to the data. One of the faults was the weather. When the day started at 6 A.M. it was very overcast. At times there were patches of sunlight that sometimes occurred during the 1/2 hour measurement. This affected the data because this caused an aberrant measurement of the voltage. However overall, the data proved the hypothesis. With a peak of 7 volts, the most that could be run is a low end fan which is useless. With the price of the small non-weatherproof solar panel above 20 dollars, the output is more expensive than several weeks of electricity from FPL. These high prices make it very difficult for a family to find solar panels an attractive energy source for the future. It is a shame that eco-energy is more expense but until the price of this green electricity goes down, it will only be a small factor compared to coal and oil.The experiment also had another error. When connecting the solar panels cables to the multimeter there could have been a loose connection to the device thus lowering the reading because of the lack of surface area between the two wires. The city also creates an error affecting the experiment. The light reflecting from street lights and buildings creates a glow that makes it impossible to be completely dark at night. The data also shows when the sun is the strongest, which are the hours between 10 A.M. and 3 P.M.
To be able to replicate this experiment, the time and location would have to be exactly the same. This experiment was originally carried out at 25° 46' 26" N / 80° 11' 38" W. It was also carried out in the month of December when the days tend to be shorter than the days in the Summer, Winter, or Fall. Though it may be difficult for anyone who would wishes to
Conclusion
Solar panels can only
convert energy based on the amount of solar energy available. Therefore, in the
morning, photovoltaic energy should be less, and increase towards midday, and
fall towards the evening. Also, any meteorological phenomenon that obscures the
sun will inherently lower the amount of solar energy available and twill thus
decrease the amount of photovoltaic output. The experiment demonstrated that
solar energy is directly related to photovoltaic electric energy as reflected
in the data. The data also showed that the maximum voltage of 7 volts at the
peak of the day was not sufficient enough to provide energy for the cost. At a
cost of over $20, the price and the process of making the solar panels outweigh
their potential solar energy production. Thus, in order for solar energy
production to be cost-effective, the price of large and more durable solar
panels would need to be lower.
