Exercise 3

Problem Formulation

Kepner-Tregoe

What is known? The topic of renewable energy is a growing field with many technologies that have not yet been fully optimized.
What is NOT known? Whether or not solar energy, specifically photovoltaics, is the field of renewable energy that is the best choice for power distribution.
What are the constraints? Solar panels, on average, have a lifetime of 25 years such that the sun-tracking technology would need to be able to be implemented on solar panels that are already in place. Make the product relatively inexpensive so contractors will want to install the product with solar panels.
What are NOT the constraints? The location of the solar panels is unimportant as they are already installed, this solution focuses on optimizing the energy retained in any location.
What is important? Creating software and a physical build that optimizes the energy retention of the solar panels.
What are the objectives? Increase energy efficiency of solar panels by tracking the sun and adjusting to the proper angle with the sun.
What are NOT the objectives? Replacing the need for other energy storage methods.
What can be expected? A method to improve the energy efficiency of solar panels.
What can NOT be expected? For the solution to optimize the energy stored by photovoltaic to the point that other energy storage methods are abandoned.

When did the problem occur? When fossil fuels as an energy resource have become more scarce and had an increased affect on the environment.
When did the problem NOT occur? When other energy storage methods such as solar, wind and hydro were less prominent due to a lack of need.
When must the solution be implemented? The solution should be implemented as fast as possible to determine the affect it has on the energy storage of photovoltaics.
When did changes occur? The change occurred mostly with the rise in attention given to environmentally-safe energy resources around the beginning of the 21st century.

Who can provide more information? Engineers and scientists who intend on improving the performance of photovoltaics and are willing to experiment with our technology and measure the increase in efficiency and performance.
Who can NOT provide information? Current contractors and technicians who install solar panels.
Who is the client? Companies and organizations that intend to use and store solar power.
Who is NOT the client? Consumers who actually consume the power distributed to them.
Who is affected by the problem? The problem affects any organization attempting to store solar energy.
Who is NOT affected by the problem? Organizations that store and rely on other forms of energy storage such as fossil fuels, wind or hydro.

Where does the problem occur? The problem occurs with solar panels that are not optimized to conserve the maximum amount of solar energy.
Where is the problem irrelevant? With power systems and power plants that do not use solar panels.
Where is the product located? Solar panels are placed outside, often in high places in order to gain maximum exposure during the day time.
Where is the client located? Possible clients are located all around the globe, any organization or company that is trying to use solar power.

Why is the problem important? The problem is important because photovoltaics are not being fully optimized yet in order to derive the maximum amount of energy from the sun and energy is a valuable resource.
Why is the problem NOT important? Solar power accounts for a small portion of the electrical energy market, it is still a niche.
Why does this solution work? This solution works because the panels will essentially be designed to track the sun and absorb as much solar energy as possible.
Why does this solution NOT work? Creating a program to allow the solar panel to track the sun may not see an increase in conserved energy significant enough to warrant implementation.
Why is there a problem? This is currently a problem because solar panels as an energy storage technology is a growing field of study and practice.

How is this problem related to other problems? This problem relates to the overall issue of energy consumption and how a renewable source of energy is the best solution.
How can this solution be implemented? This solution can be implemented by creating a program/software to control the panels movements as well as a physical build to rotate the panel.
How did the problem develop? The issue of energy as a valuable resource has been a source of human conflict since the dawn of time. Fossil fuels are in fact, fuels which can be entirely used up by a certain point whereas, photovoltaics are a technology.

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