McCurdy (84)

The McCurdy team (#84) is from Espanola. This year they've submitted a project titled Solar Panel Efficiency.

Proposal
http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/get_proposal1112.php?team_id=84

For our supercomputing project we would like to improve the efficiency of solar panels. We want to figure out a way to make them more efficient and more appealing to the buyer, since it’s the energy source that gives less power than coal, gas, hydro power, etc. We would like to record our data and results into a computer program, but we don’t know any computer programs so we need help. We have already contacted a scientist which works in solar panels with his guidance we will conduct our experiments. He has allowed us to use some of his equipment. To make the solar panels more efficient we want to attach something which absorbs some of the sun’s heat making it more efficient. We are hoping to make solar panels more efficient and using computer programs to show us which material attached would be cost and beneficial towards the solar panels.

Interim Report
http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/get_interim1112.php?team_id=84

Question: Will adding a heat transfer material to a solar photovoltaic panel lessen the voltage losses that a solar panel incurs when it heats up?

Hypothesis: The addition of .300 bullet casings will lessen the voltage losses of a solar photovoltaic panel by drawing more heat off the solar panel than by any other casings, nails, or the absence of a heat transfer material.

Objective: To make several different heat transfer setups using "cartridge brass" bullet casings of different calibers and different sizes of steel nails to draw off built-up heat on a solar panel. In doing so, the solar panels will lose less voltage, and make them as efficient as possible.

Background: Solar Photovoltaic cells are one of many different ways to produce energy. Compared to gas energy power plants, solar panels cost more than five times as much to generate the same amount of power (refer to chart).

I plan to use a computer model to show the information and data, maybe excel? With the help of a mentor I plan to learn how to use a computer program.

Comments: /Interim Comments