During EET 320 (Renewable Energy Systems), students will familiarize themselves with solar cells. Students will conduct four experiments, to learn about the different factors that can affect the performance of a solar panel. In the first experiment, students will investigate how applied heat affected the efficiency of solar panels. In the second experiment, students will investigate how the angle of a light source affect the voltage, current and power. In the third experiment, students will explore how cloud coverage impacts power output. Finally, in the fourth experiment, students will learn how fans could be used to cool down solar panels and the result impact in the power output.
On a daily basis, the amount of energy that the sun delivers to the earth is greater than the amount of energy used annually. Additionally, solar power produces less pollution than current forms of energy production and is less harmful to the environment compared to fracking and offshore oil drilling.
