1. Tracking the Sun

2. Solar Tracker
A solar tracker is device that orients a solar panel toward the sun.
Solar panel trackers are used to reduce the angle between the incoming light and a photovoltaic panel.
This increases the amount of energy produced
In standard photovoltaic applications, it is estimated that trackers are used in at least 85% of commercial installations greater than 1MW from 2009 to 2012.[1][2]

3. Trackers are used on most large solar farms

4. Power Lost Due to Panel not Facing the Sun

5. Discussion on sun position

6. Reasons for the Seasons

7. Earth Rotation

8. Direct versus Indirect

9. Direct versus Indirect

10. Direct versus Indirect

11. What causes seasons?
Why do we have “shorter” days during the winter and “longer” days during the summer?
easons_ecliptic.html (Shows Earth’s rotation and orbit throughout the year)

12. Solar Tracker Design Challenge
Indiana Solar Power Company needs your help. They are interested in using solar panels to obtain as much energy as they can from the sun. In order to maximize the amount of solar energy collected by the solar panels, the panels must be positioned such that they face the sun at all times of the day and during all seasons.
The company is asking you to develop a solar panel system that can be easily moved to track the sun so that the panel can collect as much solar energy as possible. It should be able to move horizontally to track the sun throughout the day and vertically to capture the angle of the sun as the seasons change. The solar panel does not have to move on its own (motors are not provided). However, you can assume that the final product would use a motor or other system to move the solar panel.

13. Problem Scoping Identifying the problem
What is the problem?
Indiana Solar Power Company is trying to find a way to obtain as much energy as they can from the sun.
What is the goal?
Design a solar panel system that is able to track the sun so that the panel can collect as much solar energy as possible.
Who is the client?
Indiana Solar Power Company
Who is the end user?
Anyone who uses electricity

14. Problem Scoping Identifying the problem
What are the design criteria (desired features)?
The solar panel should be able to move horizontally to track the sun through the day.
The solar panel should also be able to be moved vertically to capture the angle of the sun as seasons change.
The solar panel does NOT have to move on its own (motors are not provided). However, students can assume that a product would use a motor or other system to move the solar panel.
What are the design constraints?
Materials provided

15. Components used by Engineers Ball Bearings

16. Components used by Engineers Ball Bearings
Things roll better than they slide.
Rolling friction has less resistance that sliding friction.
These balls or rollers “bear” the load.

18. Ball Bearings
Most common type
Very small contact point

20. Components used by Engineers Four Bar Linkage
Consists of 4 bars connected to form a loop.
Can be designed to make a wide variety of movements.

21. Examples of Mechanisms
Lift platform
Front loader
Can crusher
Hany A. Sherif, Qassim University

22. Examples of Mechanisms
Microwave carrier to assist people on wheelchair
Lift platform
Hany A. Sherif, Qassim University

23. Idea Generation Individual Plan
Do you have enough information?
What questions do you still have?
In your design notebook, label “Individual Design” on one page
Draw a sketch of your design → Include labels, perspective, scale

24. Vinyl Corner Bead Pieces
Materials
Material
Cost
Marbles
$2 Each
Plastic Cups
$10 Each
Vinyl Corner Bead Pieces
$5 Each
Bendy Straws
$15 Each
Duct Tape
Free
Round Plastic Plates
Golf Balls $4
Clay
$20 (As much as needed)
Brass Paper Brads
$1 Each
Small Solar Panel
$100

25. Idea Generation Team Design
In your design notebook, label “Team Design” on next page.
Share your plan with members of your design team.
Agree on one design. Draw a sketch of your team design and create a list of materials you will need (and cost).

26. Solution Production and Performance - Construct and Test
You will have 20 minutes to construct
Keep in mind:
You must follow your team design
Use only the materials provided
Note any modifications you wish to make to your design

27. Solution Production and Performance - Construct and Test
How are we going to test our designs?
Test Conditions
Attach multi-meter to solar panel.
Mount flashlight on tripod.
Record change in voltage output as move solar panel.

28. Data Collection Team # Multi-meter Reading Summer Angle Winter Angle
Cost 1 90 25
$145 2 20
$132 3
100 60
$168 4 30
$150 5
$167 6 65
$174 7
$134 8 40
$117 9 50
$213 10
$129 11

29. Communication Share Results
What were your results?
Did your team’s design meet the client’s needs?
In what ways did your team use what you know about the angle of the sun and direct/indirect rays to inform your design?

30. Optimization Improve and Re-design
In what ways could you improve your design?
What is one feature you could re-design?
To what extent could your re-design improve your results?

31. Student Work

33. Cross curricular connections
Mathematics
Estimation
Computation (use of equations)
Cost analysis
Literacy – Writing
Persuasive writing
Narrative writing
Literacy - Reading

34. Assessment Formative Review design notebooks
Use an observation checklist to record observations of students’ testing of their predictions of simple circuits
Summative
Designs (artifacts)
Review responses to key questions in design notebooks
Rubrics

35. Real life connection Smartflower POP
Smartflower POP

36. Contact Info
Heidi Vance, Taylor Middle School
Laura O’Shaughnessey, Lafayette Christian
Chell Nyquist, SLED project engineer