I am doing a science fair project that deals with solar energy. i was just confused with the part that deals with measuring using a digital multimeter.

Can anyone help me by explaining how to do this project? It is online at …

http://sciencebuddies.com/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p004.shtml?fave=no&isb=c2lkOjEsaWE6RW5lcmd5LHA6MixyaWQ6NDcyNzAxOA&from=TSW

This is the multimeter I am using:

http://www.frys.com/product/4108273

Questions:
Is the V symbol with a squiggly line on the top the one I use to find the open circuit voltage? Or
is the V with a dashed line on top and a full line?

What do I use to measure the short-circuit current?

*** I already have the red and black clips from the solar panel connected to the ones of the multimeter. I need to know how to measure the maximum power available from the solar panel. Also, if someone can explain this project in simpler terms it would be helpful. I think I already know what I am supposed to do, but I am just confused.

(So, am I supposed to tilt the solar panel at different angles then measure the maximum output from each position and see which angle produced the most output power?)

THANKS!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, the sooner the better. I hope to place 1st place this year and the more time and effort I put on this project, the better.

The red V with squiggly line is AC power. That is what the house runs on and is on the output of an inverter, which you don’t have. The V with the dashed line is DC power. That is the output of the solar panel, you’ll use that for measuring the voltage.

To measure the current, move the red lead to the A plug and move the dial to Amps. Measure across the leads.

You’ll see when you tilt the panel at different angles, the output will change as the sun hits the panels straight on.

Please watch this short video showing how to measure panels. http://www.altestore.com/video/video-Solar-Panel-Testing-v3/

I am doing a science fair project that deals with solar energy. i was just confused with the part that deals with measuring using a digital multimeter.

Can anyone help me by explaining how to do this project? It is online at …

http://sciencebuddies.com/science-fair-p…

This is the multimeter I am using:

http://www.frys.com/product/4108273

Questions:
Is the V symbol with a squiggly line on the top the one I use to find the open circuit voltage? Or
is the V with a dashed line on top and a full line?

What do I use to measure the short-circuit current?

*** I already have the red and black clips from the solar panel connected to the ones of the multimeter. I need to know how to measure the maximum power available from the solar panel. Also, if someone can explain this project in simpler terms it would be helpful. I think I already know what I am supposed to do, but I am just confused.

(So, am I supposed to tilt the solar panel at different angles then measure the maximum output from each position and see which angle produced the most output power?)

THANKS!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, the sooner the better. I hope to place 1st place this year and the more time and effort I put on this project, the better.
Fixed Link:
http://sciencebuddies.com/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Energy_p004.shtml?fave=no&isb=c2lkOjEsaWE6RW5lcmd5LHA6MixyaWQ6NDcyNzAxOA&from=TSW
For the first response, I can’t get my computer to enable the yahoo communications thing or something so I can’t email u. but my project is on science buddies titled Get Something for Nothing: Free Power from the Sun

‘404 Error: The page you are looking for does not exist. ‘ for your first link!

Typically a wavey line will measure the rms voltage for an AC voltage, but a solar panel is a DC (Direct Current) device, so you’ll want the one with a flat line.

The maximum power output will depend on the light you put into the thing - you probably won’t have enough light to work out the true maximum power output of the solar panel. You can shine as much light on it as possible and you should get the most output when the light is going straight into the panel, ie is perpendicular - but for your report you’ll want to do what the experiment says (the one on the webpage I can’t find! )

You can work out the efficiency of a solar panel from its current-voltage characteristics provided you have 2 multimeters and a voltage source. If you want to know how to do this, feel free to email me off my profile - this might get you better marks

Our school service learning group came up with a design for a briefcase which has the internal components that allow the user to charge items using the attached solar panels. We did not come up with any of the parts ourselves, but just ordered them from several different sites. Is it possible to patent this in a creative-commons-type manner? We want other non-profit groups to be able to use our designs.

Is it even possible to patent in the first place?

Please say how we can patent it and reference your source. Thank you.

You can patent the DESIGN that you come up with for the briefcase, but not the idea of a solar-powered briefcase. Draw out your design(s), and submit them to the patent office with a description of the function of the case. It can all be done online, but if you really think you have a design worth protecting, then you would need to hire a patent attorney to perform a search for similar patents and to properly file yours.

I’m doing a project for school where I will buy a solar panel and utilize/improve the power output of the panel. I want the panel to have an improved amount of energy output compared to the original. My budget for the solar panel itself is ~$100. Anything else that will be needed is covered.
Also, I will be comparing the power by lighting a light bulb and checking to see the output energy of the panel.

Where or how should I approach this project?

What are the parts of the solar panel that I will need to buy?

What factors could I change/improve to improve the overall energy output?

What are the things (other than the panel) that I will need to buy?

How can I attach a light bulb to the solar panel?

Solar power is one of the cleanest sources of energy that is virtually free. No wonder the demand for solar energy has gone through the roof in recent years. The energy crisis along with a desire to reduce the carbon footprint has made solar power the number one alternative source of energy among homeowners.

The cost associated with a professionally installed solar system can be very high, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Because of this, a lot of homeowners have turned to DIY solar energy. A DIY, or Do-It-Yourself solar system can be fun to build and thousands of dollars cheaper than a professionally installed solar system. If you want to go the DIY route, the first thing you will need is a high quality guidebook to walk you through the process of equipping your home with solar power.

The Earth4Energy eBook is one of the most popular guidebooks about making your own solar power. Not only does it include a hefty, information filled eBook, it also has a lot of video walk throughs that detail every step involved in making your home energy efficient and environment friendly. The low upfront cost of $49.97 makes it a very cost effective solution to solving your clean energy needs.

The Earth4Energy eBook consists of several sections that deal with clean energy in general, and solar power in particular. If you have ever been curious about how solar power works, or its benefits, you will find the Earth4Energy eBook to be quite handy. After that, you can dive into the meat of the book - a step-by-step guide to making your own solar panels to harvest solar energy. While it may sound complicated, homemade solar panels are quite easy to build, especially with the kind of easy-to-follow steps that Earth4Energy outlines.

Of course, some people may find the written instructions a bit difficult to follow. Hence, Earth4Energy also includes a comprehensive video course that details every step involved in building a solar energy system.

As a bonus, the Earth4Energy eBook also has several sections devoted to wind power and how you can harvest it for electricity. This bonus, along with the detailed focus on solar power make the Earth4Energy eBook one of the best guides to harvesting the power of the sun in your very backyard.
To read opinion of consumers and review visit Earth4Energy eBook review page http://www.solar-energy-guru.com/?page_id=128

well the normal classroom uses approximately 150-450 60 watt bulbs. multiply that by the number of classrooms in a school and it uses ALOT of energy. not only would solar panels save energy and change a small part of the world, it would save the school hundreds of dollars in energy bills. i hope u see my point.

thats a great idea! there are so much electricity costs, schools would save a lot and there could be more field trips, newer equipment, etc. awesome idea!

answer mine any1? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkDTG8ossNhxlmaO5Q68cX_sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091205175621AABrsJW

Hi,

I want to buy a town house in Bay area (San Jose, SFO). But my question is can we install solar panels on my roof?

Is it allowed? Or roof is part of HOA maintenance program? What is the law states here?

Is a single family home is the only way to install solar panels?

Thanks for your help.
UPDATED QUESTION:

Can i install on my backyard at least?

Look up AB2473 - The California Solar Rights Act. That removed most of the barriers to installing solar on any property you own. If you had a detached home, even in a gated community with a homeowner’s association, you have a good chance of getting solar even if the HOA doesn’t like it.

The problem with a townhome is that you don’t own the roof. Before you buy, have a cordial conversation with the president of the HOA, to get an idea of how they feel about this sort of thing. If they don’t like it, I wouldn’t fight. Even if you win legally, your neighbors will give you dirty looks for being a troublemaker. But you might be surprised. This IS the bay area, after all, pretty liberal.

Which side of the building would I put them on and what part of the roof? The apex?

It’s not that easy. Generally the placement maximizes sun exposure while minimizing hazards, threats, and expense:
* South facing in the northern hemisphere, angled upward from level approximately by the installation’s latitude. At the equator, they can lay flat. At the north pole, vertical.
* Away from chimneys, flue vents, overhanging trees, etc.
* Minimize strong wind exposure—or at least decrease deleterious effects of strong winds being able to uplift or remove the panels.
* Reasonably convenient maintenance access

They need not sit directly on the roof—called "flush mount". Usually either a lattice-style frame or a tower is mounted to the roof or ground and the panels are mounted on it. See these examples:
* http://www.wdtrade.com/showroom/tradelead/1073207/Swimming_Pool_Solar_Heater_Compact_Solar_Heaters_Solar_Energy_Power.aspx
* http://www.solar-electric.com/PV_Mounts/Solar_Panel_Mounts.htm
* http://www.solazone.com.au/frames.htm
* http://www.wirefreedirect.com/solar_panel_pv_mounting_frames_and_accessories.asp

Also there are "tracker" systems which face the panel toward the sun based on the time of day and day of year.

So I have a couple solar cells off some outdoor yard lights that I replaced with new up to date lights so these were for parts. I know solar panels produce power during light but during no light conditions have the ability to suck power back out of the battery being charged, so a diode must be used…..? What would someone recommend as a high efficiency diode to be used(i think germanium??) or rating or part number. Then do I have this right, my 2 solar panels(2inch X 2inch) can go either in parallel or series as this is only charging and not a direct supply source, will one be better config. than the other? (Parallel or series??). I should be able to solder on the PC board where the NiCad batt wires go…..I’m thinking this is ok because the PC board has a On Off switch and will only allow solar power to flow into battery only, no other components thus having WHILE POWER SWITCH IS IN OFF POSITION AND SUNNY should charge batter.?? Do I have this right or am I missing components. Positve solar wire to positive batt wire negative to negative,

Any diode will do.

But the voltage out of the solar cells must be higher than the battery voltage by a bit before the battery will charge. For example, a 12 volt lead acid battery won’t charge until the voltage gets above 14-15 volts. Add the diode voltage to that.

So you need to find out the voltage needed to charge your batteries, and put enough cells in series to get that voltage. Anything less and they will not charge. I doubt you have enough voltage, even with the cells in series.

.

I am building a solar powered car, I know the technology for the most part but my question is: Where can I find the solar panels that I will need & what voltage/ wattage panels will I need?

first make the car
second measure how many Watts it needs
you get 1 Watt for 55 square inch of solar panel, just do the maths

here are some examples and suggestions

http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&hl=en&sa=1&q=solar+power+cars&aq=0&oq=solar+power+car&start=0

Anita

I am looking at building my own solar panels to at least help cut down the rising energy bill. I know its expensive. I already have the solar cells so no need to worry about listing that. But i am looking at wiring it directly into the house. Is there any parts that you could list for me, that would be great. thanks

Most likely, your local power utility will prohibit you from connecting homemade panels to their grid, but if you had a commercial panel, you would use a grid-tied inverter such as shown here http://www.enphaseenergy.com/ . If you had an array of 10 or more panels, it would usually be cheaper to get a single, large inverter.

The usual path taken with homemade panels seems to be using them to charge a battery, then running things of the battery. And it’s usually a fun thing to do, but not a way to save money. Just so you know.