Solar Challenge Rules

KidWind-Virginia 2021

Makersmiths' KidWind teams are in the Northern Virginia region. In-person competition will be held at Lord Fairfax Community College in Warrenton, VA. The competitions won't be held on one day as was done in the past, but rather in-person challenges will be scheduled beginning the first week in March and going through mid-April. Makersmiths will register up to three teams. We can enter a solar panel project as well as wind turbines that we created last spring before we had to end our working together due to COVID-19. If we cannot compete in the in-person challenge, we will enter our projects in the virtual competitions. Read this PDF about the 2021 in-person and virtual competition details.

Building Guidelines

Size: The solar device the team builds with its accessories must fit in a 1-meter cube. It should have some space around it (10-20 cm).

Materials: Anything can be used to construct the device. You can repurpose items (dollhouse, model car, etc.) but recycled items are encouraged since this is a green, environmental-friendly initiative. Responsible use of materials is considered favorably during the judging process.

Solar Panels: Only solar panels that are 6V or below and produce less than 1.1A can be used. Teams may combine solar panels in parallel or series, but they cannot produce more than 12V at 2.2 amps in any configuration. More detailed information can be found on page 24 in the 2020-2021 rulebook.

Accessory Loads and Power Storage: Teams may use any load to make the device interesting. These can be LEDs, incandescent bulbs, motors and capacitors. Pre-manufactured circuits or circuitry kits are allowed, but will be noted in the judging process.

Microcontrollers: These are small computers that can be programmed to make things happen on the solar device- like turning on a light when it gets dark, or making an elevator go up and down when a button is pressed. Microcontrollers include Makey-Makey, the microbit, arduinos and lilypad. The microcontrollers can be externally powere using a battery or plug, or powered by the sun, too.

Budget: There is not restrictions, but it is highly recommended that teams keep track of reclaimed items to list when reporting to the judges.

Wiring Diagram: All teams must provide a wiring diagram so the judges can determine what you are trying to do with your solar device. A wiring Diagram template is found in the rulebook on page 40. Bring this completed form to the competition, or upload if completing a virtual competition.

Solar Panel Placement: Teams may place solar panels directly on the device or they can create a solar panel bank that is not attached to the device but is attached by a wire allowing the panel or solar panel bank to pivot to capture the most direct sunlight. More details can be found on page 25 of the 2020-2021 rulebook.

Judging

During the judging process, the solar device will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  1. 35% Design and functionality (see the questions below)

  2. 25% Inspiration and creativity (What was the inspiration for the project? Were you trying to solve a problem? In what ways is your project innovative or special? What was the design process and how much time did you spend on it?)

  3. 25% Aesthetics and materials (Judges will look at how the project was built, materials used, was a microcontroller used, what part of the device was the hardest part to get working, and what things the team would like to learn more about.)

  4. 15% Knowledge about solar power (Teams will be expected to know how we might use solar energy to power society, the challenges and benefits of using solar power, the difference between solar thermal and solar PV, the differences between various solar panels and careers related to the solar power industry now and expected careers in the future.)

Teams will be expected to document their planning, building and testing out process. Makersmiths' teams will be expected to maintain a project notebook, create videos and take images that can be used on this site that judges will access.

Teams should be prepared to respond to design and functionality questions like these:

  • What types and how many loads do you have?

  • Did you have to change your loads to work with solar?

  • What changes have you made to your circuits over time?

  • How do you feel about your circuit diagram? Does it match your circuit?

  • How much power do your solar panels produce?

  • Are the solar panels in series or parallel?

  • What do the terms voltage, current and power mean in relation to solar PV?

  • Do you know the kinds of solar panels you used?

  • Do you have any storage in your system?


Source: 2020-2021 KidWind Challenge Rulebook

To view projects submitted online for past KidWind Solar Panel Challenges, visit: https://www.kidwind.org/online-challenge/solar-structure/projects