The Solar Powered Light
2022 Foxcroft School Solar Panel Lanterns
The Solar Powered Light
Meet the Epics Team
Team Members:
Eva C. - Project Leader and Liaison
Ashleigh H. - Construction Manager
Grace P. - Project Archivist and Webmaster, Financial Officer and Investigative Tech
Design Phase 1:
Project Identification
Project Charter
Prior Art
Initial Sketch and Initial Prototype
Initial sketch of light shade
Initial Prototype
Rapid Prototypes
Cozby-
Sketch
Prototype
Helal-
Sketch
Prototype
Pumphrey-
Sketch
Prototype
Final Prototype
The final prototype is designed to have an octagonal shade made of frosted acrylic to protect the light bulb, which will be placed in the middle of the light and attached to the wooden octagon top. The top will have a hole big enough to attach the light as well as fit the cord that attaches the solar panel. The solar panel with be placed on the ground next to the light in order to produce optimal power and accessibility to sun light, with the light hanging on an eye hook and post.
Design Phase 2: Specification Development
Material List
Design Review Slideshow
Design Specifications
We were tasked with creating a light that is beneficial to the Foxcroft community as well as the environment. The goal of our lantern is to light the paths, specifically the one between the Applegate and Dillon Cottages, as they are extremely dark at night which can lead to a safety hazard. We also wanted to make a solar powered light to use renewable power so we therefore added a solar panel to our design. Our final prototype is a combination of Eva and Grace's designs, with Grace's light design being used with the exception of changing the circular shade to an octagonal shape, and Eva's idea to plant the light either on the ground or post. We also added new additions to our design, specifically by changing the initial idea of the solar panel being placed at the top of the light to being placed on the ground in order to achieve optimal power and sunlight. We also decided to design the shade using frosted acrylic in order to make the light aesthetically pleasing for the Foxcroft community.
Design Inspiration
Our design inspiration is a combination of simple barn lanterns, bright lights intended to light lawns and parking lots, and smaller pathway lights that are staked in the ground. We then added our own ideas and touch to the light in order to optimize it to fit the community's needs by finding the correct wattage and power needed to light the Applegate and Dillon paths, as well as creating a light that fits with the other lights around the community.
Formal Requirements
For the shade of our light, we decided to use a frosted acrylic constructed in an octagonal shape in order to sufficiently protect the light bulb as well as create an aesthetically pleasing light. We constructed an octagonal wooden piece to be placed on the top of the light and connect the panels, and we have bought a light bulb and solar panel that will attach to the light. We also have an adhesive used to stick the panels together, as well as a mount for the solar panel. There will be an eyehook on the top of the light that will be used to hang the light on a post. There are specific details about each product in the material list attached above.
Functional Requirements
It will light the paths between the Dillon and Applegate Cottage once the sun goes down. It has a timer and energy capacity set for 5 hours, therefore the light will shine will students and community members are walking at night. Once the 5 hours ends, the light will recharge using the solar panel during the day and turn on again later. The light has 150 watt lumens and 12 LED beads, so it will be bright enough to light the paths but not blinding.
Design Phase 3 and 4: Conceptual Design and Detailed Design
Design Specifications
Our final design is a combination of Grace and Eva's rapid prototypes, as stated in the Design Phase 1 Design Specifications section. We kept the octagonal shape of the acrylic panels, as well as the wood on the top. We also added small wood panels around each seam of the acrylic to better ensure its structure and stability, especially outside in unpredictable weather. We also decided to put wood putty in between the two wood panels, to further ensure its stability. We also had to redo the top of our light, because the hole was too big for our lightbulb. Once we did that, we stained and weatherproofed every wood panel attached to our light and went outside to hang it on the 6ft Shepards hook we had chosen. We decided to place it on the flowerbed next to the Dillon Cottage because it has better access to light than the flowerbed next to Applegate Cottage.
Field Testing
During the first night the light was placed outside, it was very bright. But, the light was too high up to effectively light the path. Therefore, we are going to replace the 6ft Shepards Hook with a 4ft one, hoping that the lower altitude will help the light provide an outline of the path. After a couple of days outside, the light did begin to dim. We need to find a better place to install the solar panel, as the current placement is not producing enough light. Also, after about a week outside the hot glue gave out and a couple of our wood panels fell off the light. In order to ensure this doesn't happen again, we are using gorilla glue instead of hot glue in our new light, and reinstalling the fallen wood panels on our current light with the gorilla glue. We decided to install 2 lights instead of the one, to provide better light for the path. This was successful, especially with the 4ft shepherd's hook. One problem we did encounter was the heat on a very hot day melted the hot glue and detached the top of the light from the shade. We have fixed this and will use more gorilla glue on the top of the light to ensure that this doesn't happen again, but this problem may want to be addressed in the future. This entire process is trial and error, so we were not surprised that we needed to improve a few things before the light's final delivery.
Final Product
Our final product is in the octagonal shape, with the solar panel attached to it through a wire. We added stained wood panels and wood putty to enhance the aesthetic and durability of the light. It will be placed in the flower bed next to the Dillon Cottage. Each light will be placed on either side of the path near the Dillin cottage.
Project Summary
Throughout the course of the 2022 spring semester, Ashleigh, Eva, and Grace have worked to construct a solar powered light to light the paths of Foxcroft school. The first light will be placed on the path between Dillon and Applegate cottages, and more lights can be added and made to enhance the visibility on all of the dark paths at Foxcroft. The design team designed an octagonal shaped lantern and used a solar panel that was attatched to the light through a wire. For more details on the construction of our light, we have a user manual.