Solar Powered EnergyProfessor: Dr. Anderson and Dr. Arehart

Students: Dan Eaton, Vick Chhabria, Luke Kingsborough, Nick Vilagi

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Where does the world get energy from?

Why are we here?

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The energy that is running out…

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Alternative sources of energy…

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What is Solar Powered Energy?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av24fEMhDoU

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A few key definitions…

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Definitions:

! Voltage - An electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts

! Current - A flow of electric charge expressed in amps

! Power - The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electrical circuit

Power (Watts) = Voltage (Volts) x Current (Amps)

P = I x V

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What are some applications of Solar

Powered Energy?

Futuristic solar powered iPhone design

Honda solar powered car prototype

Solar powered airplane

Home rooftop solar panels

Today’s Lab

IV Curve Tracer

1. Sweep the voltage of a PV (photovoltaic) module and measure the current

2. Compare various PV modules based on their IV Curves

3. Calculate the maximum power of each curve

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Example Output

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Lab

Questions?

About Ohio State:

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Key Learnings

1. The Importance of solar cell technology 2. Basic understanding of how solar cells work 3. Understand the purpose of usage of IV

curve tracers 4. Learn a little more about Ohio State and

Engineering

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