A Miniature Solar Panel

There are too many Americans using electricity. We may need to find another energy source to save fossil fuels for future generations. We are also polluting the earth causing global warming making the earth hot! 

We think that the solar panel will absorb heat causing the cold water to travel down the tube turning it into warm water. This is just as heat travels to turn into electricity.

Purpose

We would like to build a solar panel to help stop pollution to the ozone layer. It will also help the planet live longer in a clean ozone layer

Materials

• Old newspapers
• Cardboard box about 30cm x 45cm x 15 to 20cm deep(12in x 18in x 6 to 8in)
• Sheet of cardboard
• Flat black spray paint
• Several meters or yards of black rubber tubing
• Large nail
• Black  tape 
• Plastic wrap 
• Table 
• 2 buckets 
• Cold water 
• Chair, bench, or stool
• Clothespin or larger paper clip 
• Insulated cup 
• thermometer

Procedure

 First, crumpled newspaper along the bottom of a cardboard box that is about 30cm x 45cm x 15 to 20 cm deep (12in x 18in x 6 to 8in). The newspaper serves as insulation. Next, cut a sheet of cardboard to fit flat over the newspaper. There should be about 7 to 10cm (3 to 4in) of space above the cardboard.

 Next, spray paint the inside of the box with a flat black paint. When the paint has dried, loop back rubber tubing should extend through. Each end of the tubing should extend trough holes you can make in the box with a large nail. Next use black tape to hold the tubing in place. Cover the box with plastic wrap and tape the wrap securely in place with the black color which absorbs solar radiation.        

           

Finally, on a bright sunny day, place the solar panel in the sunlight on a table. Place one end of the tubing in a large bucket of cold water the also rests on the table. Lay the other end of the tubing on another bucket the rests on a chair that is lower than the tabletop. Siphon gently on the lower end of the tubing until water begins to flow through the tubing. The difference in air pressure will cause water to siphon through the tubing from the upper to the lower bucket. When the water begins to flow, place a clothespin or a large paper clip on the lower tube to reduce the flow to a slow drip. After a few minutes, use your finger to compare the temperature of the water in the upper bucket with that of the water dripping from the lower tube. Last, collect some warm water from the lower bucket and measure the temperature of the water.

Results