Student solar cell sun tracker project...

[Ron]

I know this isn't about trees, but they did such a good job, I can't resist braggin' on them.

This was one group in my Capstone Projects Class and this was their choice. I really thought they were in over their head, but they proved me wrong and this is one of the few times it felt so good to be wrong.

The video pretty well explains the project; I still have to add pics of two of the students. I hope to have that done Monday, but in the mean time:

Edit:
Link update: essentially the same video; did some tweaking, added a student, and added to the credits at the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah3tvUPMtFI

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Nicely done!

It will be interesting to see how it tracks on a non-solar day. Overcast or partly cloudy days where the sunshine isn't constant or strong.

Will the unit be installed at the school to generate power?

 

[Ron]

[ QUOTE ]
Nicely done!
It will be interesting to see how it tracks on a non-solar day. Overcast or partly cloudy days where the sunshine isn't constant or strong.

Will the unit be installed at the school to generate power?

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks much Tom!

Very interesting question. Actually, what it does on a cloudy day is look for the brightest spot in the sky, which I think would be the best position. I think that would be where the most light energy would be, but foder for more projects!

Also, there needs to be some tests to determine how it should respond to passing cloud shading. Cloud shading can come in all kinds of forms, speeds, directions, and motion patterns.

It's use is on hold for a while, one because the semester is ending and I'm off for the summer, and two, we will have some pretty sophisticated solar trainers in by fall semester and I'll need to eval them and see how everything fits together.

This was a preliminary effort, meaning that it tests the method and theory, but it isn't weather proof. But, having taken this step, my mind is spinning with ways to 'harden' up the electrics and mechanics to deal with all kinds of weather and then collect operational data.

One thing I'm really excited about is I'm pretty sure we're gonna land a wind turbine in a mutual effort with Oak Ridge National Laboratory!!! I want that bad! You know you can rappel off those things - right?

This will sound strange, but I'm not sold on solar or wind energy because it is quite expensive and takes huge amounts of spaces. E.g. right now, a residential solar installation of any significant power is going to cost between $20,000-$30,000 dollars with a pay back period of about 15 to 20 years and from what I understand, the systems don't last that long. But then there's government subsidy to the rescue - the bottomless pit of money for anything and everything that can't compete and stand on it's own.

But, to me, my role as an educator is to teach the technology and let people decide for themselves its worth and ethical implications.