Materials Lab
Solar Energy Workshop
Student Names: Andrea Alvarez and Hannah Oppelt Semester: Fall 2020
Solar-powered Jack-o’-lantern process: cutting the lid; extracting the seeds; assembling the light kit; positioning the solar battery
Objective: The objective of this workshop is to introduce students to basic components of solar power and explore its potential as an alternative energy. The workshop consists of a pre-fabricated lamp for observation, an app to measure solar incidence, a jack-o’lantern, and a solarpowered light kit to illuminate the jack-o’-lantern. Building on the presentation delivered by Stan Pipkin on Oct. 22nd, the workshop is broken down into three stages: 1. Pre-workshop: Following the instructions provided in this document, participants will first:
a) assemble their pre-fabricated solar-powered IKEA Lamp to draw inspiration b) observe solar power metrics through the solar incidence mobile app c) locate optimal outdoor placement for the IKEA lamp and jack-o’-lantern relative to these metrics d) prepare the pumpkin for lighting and prepare a design for carving 2. Workshop: A live demonstration will be held October, 29th. Participants are encouraged to complete the activity along with the live demo. For the live demo, we will: a) collaboratively discuss our experience using the app to find optimal placement for the lamp outdoors b) share how these findings will influence the orientation of the jack-o’-lantern c) show off our ghoulish pumpkin designs prior to the worksop d) spend a few more minutes refining our designs and carving our pumpkins e) demonstrate the hard-wire assembly and installment of the solar-powered light kit for illumination 3. Post-Worskhop: Please share your finished project! We plan to exhibit these online, following the workshop.
Materials: Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells (PV), work to generate electricity directly from sunlight. Photovoltaic cells are connected electrically, and neatly organised into a large frame that is known as a solar panel. The actual solar cells are made of silicon semiconductors that absorb sunlight and then convert it into electricity. The key material present in every type of cell is silicon. Through an extensive process, silicon destined for solar cells must be refined to its purest form. In order for the silicon to be assembled into panels, the material must go through seven stages: purifying; creating the boule (a polycrystalline structure refined from molten silicon into the atomic structure of a single crystal); cutting, layering, or molding the boules into wafers; doping (also known as adding impurities back into the silicon wafers); placing electrical contacts; and encapsulating the shell. In addition to the the cells, solar energy systems are composed of inverters, racking and a solar battery storage unit. Monocrystalline solar cells are made from single crystalline silicon. The look is distinctive, often artificially colored, or true black in appearance. These cells tend to be cylindrical and the highest quality, while exceptionally wasteful. Polycrystalline solar cells, introduced in 1981, are less wasteful by molding the silicone into rectangles instead of cutting it. These cells are considered mid-range and have a distinctive blue tint. This is the solar solar cell type we are using for this activity. Thin film solar cells differ by material and come in a variety of types like amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium, gallium selenide, and organic PV cells. These are the cheapest option and the least efficient. However, it is believed that thin solar cells may also have the most potential for the future. To learn more about the process and materials used please visit https://www.iea.org/fuels-and-technologies/solar. Solar Energy Workshop Manual Fall 2020
Workshop Kit Contents: (1) IKEA Solviden lamp (1) pumpkin (1) set of pumpkin carving tools (3) carving templates (1) solar app diffuser and instructions
(1) battery holder (1) 3V 70mA solar panel with wires (1) AAA NiMh rechargeable batteries (1) Printed Circuit Board (PCB) (4) Gray wire nuts (8) Push pins
Pre-Workshop Instructions: Using the Solar Incidence App and IKEA Lamp: Observation of the IKEA Solviden lamp should happen prior to the 10/29 workshop. To optimize placement, we encourage participants to utilize a free mobile app called Solar Measurement / PyranometerApp by Hukseflux Thermal Sensors. Included in your kit are instructions on how to use the diffuser on your mobile camera to get better results. Let the metric capabilty within the app guide the orientation and location of the solar panel and lamp. Test a few positions and oberve each location’s success in charging the solar battery. Remember, solar energy is not only about availability, but about design decisions that best take advantage of sun angle and orientation.
Pumpkin preparation: Before the workshop, remove all the pulp and seeds out of your pumpkin. Using the carving tools, create a circular opening, or “lid”, with a V shape located in the opposite side of the pumpkin face (figure 1). We recommend not disposing of the seeds, rather re-purpose them as a savory treat!
Workshop Instructions: Pumpkin face carving: With the pumpkin pre-cleaned, it is time carve our pumpkins! We are going to spend 15-20 minutes carving the pumpkins together. This is intended to be a group activity, in which you can carve either a design from the templates we provided or your own designs! If you decide to design your own, we recommend having a physical template that you can transfer unto the pumpkin using pushpins (Figure 3). Feel free to get a head start on this part if you think you may need more time, and remember any step of this process may be completed during, before, or after our demonstration.
Solar component assembly:
1. Using a gray wire nut, connect the 2 red wires together from the battery holder to the circuit board (marked BATTERY on the circuit board in small white letters) 2. Repeat with 2 black wires from the battery holder t the circuit board. 3. Using a gray wire nut, connect the 2 red wires together from the solar panel to the circuit board (marked SOLAR on the circuit board in small white letters) 4. Repeat with 2 black wires from the solar panel to the circuit board. 5. You can now test your light. Insert the 2 AAA batteries into the battery holder. Make sure the switch on the battery holder is turned on (always keep it on). The batteries should have some charge when you get them but may still need charging. If the lights are not turning on, check the switches on the LEDs as well. 6. Place the solar panel on the side of the pumpkin like shown in the diagram.
Post-workshop Instructions: Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe: 1. Preheat oven to 250°. Line a large sheet pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease it with butter or oil. 2. Clean your seeds from all the pulp. Rinse and drain. 3. Season them with any spice you like (We like salt and Worcestershire sauce). Bake 45 minutes. Enjoy!
Documentation and Sharing: We would love to see your final result! Please send an image of the final piece to materialslab@austin.utexas.edu by 11/7. Solar Energy Workshop Manual Fall 2020 Prepared by: Materials Lab TAs Andrea Alvarez and Hannah Oppelt