5. Conclusion

5. Conclusions

5.1 Summary of findings

Through this experiment, we managed to conclude that if the position of light is directly above the solar panel, the amount of energy generated is the most. This means that during noon time (12 pm) when the position of the sun is above the solar panels on a building, the solar panels will generate the highest voltage output. This is an advantage as the solar panels can then produce the highest energy voltage. From our research findings, we found out that sustainable energy is one of the most important factors. Other types of energy generation are bad for the environment and can cause global warming. Thus we need to make the most of sustainable energy and generate the most energy out of these types of ways. On a regional scale, solar panels are used to improve the heating and cooling systems by almost 30%. To be able to make this experiment more efficient and more accurate, people calculate how much energy the solar panel generates without light, and minus it out of the total energy generated. Our data shows an upwards trend, with the voltage output increasing as the angle of the light source relative to it being at the top increases, which means 15^o gives off the least voltage output, while 90^o gives off the most voltage output. This is an advantage as it allows us to be able to generate the most energy during the daytime, by having the solar panel collect more energy during noon when the sun is directly above. We hypothesized that the exact opposite of the results would happen and that it would show a downward trend, with the voltage output decreasing as the angle of the light source relative to it being at the top increases, which means we predicted that 15^o would give off the most voltage output, while 90^o will give off the least voltage output.

Through our data collected from the experiment, we can conclude that our initial hypothesis was wrong, hence we can disprove our initial hypothesis, and that our initial hypothesis is not verified.

Thus, through this experiment, we managed to find the optimal angle at which the most amount of energy is produced. With our experiment findings, we can then harness modern-day technology, to increase the efficiency of solar energy generation. This could be done by solar trackers which use motors to angle the solar panel so that the sun is directly above the front face of the solar panel which contains the necessary c=solar cells to generate energy. The angling of the solar panel using solar trackers helps the solar panel to find its optimum angle to generate the greatest amount of energy.

The purpose of this project is to find out what is the optimum light angle hitting the solar panel for it to generate the greatest amount of energy. To conduct the experiment for this project, we decided to go for a research question which is: “How does the angle of the light source affect the voltage output of the solar panel?”. We also went for a hypothesis which is: “How does the angle of the light source affect the voltage output of the solar panel?”. We analysed the data that we got after conducting the experiment, and it showed that the voltage output increases as the angle of the light source relative to it being at the top increases, which means that 15 degrees gives off the least voltage output, while 90 degrees gives off the most voltage output.

Through the data collected from the experiment, we can conclude that our initial hypothesis was wrong, hence we can disprove our initial hypothesis, and that our hypothesis is not verified

5.2 Contributions of research

Through this research, our group has contributed by conducting research on the best way to angle your solar panel for the most efficient way to generate the most amount of electricity from your solar panels. This is important because the world is currently shifting towards cleaner sources of energy, mainly because of the unnecessary amount of harmful carbon emissions being emitted into the atmosphere, and also since resources such as coal and natural gases are limited resources, meaning that one day we will eventually run out of it and we will still need to switch to more sustainable sources of producing electricity. This knowledge also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG). Specifically, UN SDG 7 and 11, which are “Affordable and Clean Energy”, and “Sustainable Cities and Communities' ' respectively. Given the world’s unique situation with climate change and depleting natural resources, there is an urgent need to switch to a renewable source of energy quickly. The knowledge gained from this research can also be shared with professionals and amateurs alike in developing a more environmentally sustainable and environmentally aware populace.

5.3 Practical Applications

The practical application of this experiment is as follows. Due to the fact that the most energy is generated when the position of light is directly above the solar panel, we can devise a system where the solar panel follows the light source, the way a plant might lean towards the sun to absorb the most light. This technology is not particularly new. However, passive solar trackers can only work well in hot climates and are not very accurate when it comes to tracking the position of the sun.

Passive solar trackers use the concept of heat from the sun, which then boils a liquid that has a low boiling point, which then activates an actuator that moves the solar panel based on how warm the liquid is. This means that during certain climate conditions, like the winter or during a cold day, these solar trackers will not be accurate at all. (Rooij, 2020)

Active solar trackers on the other hand are much more accurate than a passive solar tracker and also works well in cold climates. This is because active solar trackers use a combination of instruments, sensors, and algorithms to determine the sun’s location, which allows them to absorb the most amount of sunlight, giving off the most amount of energy output. (Yoshitake, 2016)

Thus, our team wanted to develop a system that solely tracks the light. Unlike passive trackers, our tracker is active. Through this process, we can make an efficient solution for the use of solar energy possible, which is a step forward to sustainable energy. With this idea, we can slowly but surely reduce global warming and processes harmful to the environment.

5.4 Areas for further study

We can do further investigation on solar panels by performing an experiment on how heat affects the power output of solar panels, and if we find out that heat negatively affects the solar panels’ energy generation. The independent variable of the experiment is the temperature of the solar panel, which will be handled with care. The controlled variables of the experiment would be the angle of the light source, the distance of the light source from the solar panel, the amount of light in the room which must be none, the solar panel used, and the light source itself. Lastly, the dependent variable would be the voltage output of the solar panel. Using the data from the experiment, we can then find out means and ways to create a cooling solution for them. Another way we can use the information of heat affecting solar panels is to use our current experiment, which plots the angle of the light source along with how heat affects solar panels, which will enable us to plot a chart throughout the year, representing when is the optimal time throughout the year for solar panels, this is especially important for regions that also experience cold seasons like the United States for example. It is also proven that generally if the solar panels are subjected to a higher temperature, they would be less efficient. There have been solar panels designed out there that can resist such temperatures causing an efficiency drop but can still cause them to lose 10% of their rated efficiency. (Villazon, 2022)