Projects on solar energy:
Solar hot water science project: Year
7
Objective: to show power savings difference between
meter readings either prior
to the installation of a solar
hot water panel or if one is already installed.
You will need:
Science board-blue would be good
Tooth paste box
2 x toilet roll centres
Straws
Electrical wire = 2 different colours.
Label maker
Silicon or glue, hot glue will melt the straws
Use hot glue to fix to science board
Cotton reel
Something that could be used as a controller
Paint-you could get a test pot from a paint store.
Pinking shears
Drill and drill bits
Pencil-ballpoint pen
Carefully mark out where the straws will go into the
tooth paste box and on a toilet roll centre.
Drill pilot holes in all of the straw positions,then use
a drill bit slightly smaller than the straws
Place a small amount of silicon inside the holes so the
straw will make contact when you push them in ,
square it all up and leave till dry.
Once dry check none are loose ,apply a bit more silicon
if needed on the inside.
Cut ends for the cylinder and bottom of the solar panel
(toilet rolls) glue or silicon in position,when dry you can
paint it.
Remember when using silicon not to get it on surfaces
that you want to paint.
Drill holes in the end of the tooth paste box so you can
insert the wires which are suppose to be water pipes.
Do the same with the water cylinder,fit the wires and
tie knots on the end so they stay in position,
(grey wires are the water pipes) all other wires are
electrical.
Positions T1-T2-T3 are sensor positions for the solar
controller to know when to switch the solar pump on
and off ,T3 is on top of the cylinder.
The solar pump is under the controller.
Think of a catchy title:
In the example we have created clouds from the data
sheets .
Aim:To show power savings from hot water generated
by the sun
Hypothesis:We think we will pay way less for electricity
to heat hot water.
Variables:Weather,clouds rain, positioning of the solar
collector and its size are most important,any of these
factors can lead to poor performance or o/heating.
Method: compare meter readings to existing electric
power accounts.
If you do a search in www.google.com/images for
solar piping pics,or anything else that might be cool, if
you find a good example stick it
on the board.
Description of how a solar hot water
system works:
Solar tubes absorb the sunlight,the heat is transferred to
the top of the solar tubes,here the heat is transferred to
the water,when the water reaches a pre-determined
temperature at T1,the solar pump is switched on,the hot
water is moved to the hot water cylinder,T1s
temperature drops and switches off the pump,the cycle is
repeated.
The controller reads from 3 different sensors to transfer
the hot water accurately.
Test procedure:
Actual paid power account for a period of 29 days without
solarhot water connected= 877 kw units used =$116.90
With solar connected for 29 days the meter showed 676 kw
units
used =
$90.11
Test results :%
savings: savings = $26.79
To calculate the percentage of savings you divide the
given amount $26.79 by the total amount of $116.90, then
multiply the answer by 100 to get the percentage of savings.
Answer: solar has saved 22.91% off our power account.
Solar can save a lot more in the hotter months.
try and be original!
copyright 2010 by solar powered heater
