A

Minor
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Solar Panel Project Report
GROUP MEMBER

ASHWANI SHARMA
KESHAV POONIA
GAURANG SHARMA

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) Solar panels can be used for household lighting if the current produced is converted to
alternating current using an inverter.
iii) Solar panels can be used to provide heating for hot-water systems.
iv) 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/