Solar Panel Output: Effect of Shade
Experiment #6 from Solar Energy Explorations
- Education Level
- Middle School
Introduction
Some days it is very sunny all day—there are no clouds in the sky, and it is very bright. In these conditions, lots of sunlight reaches the solar panels.
Other days it is cloudy. The sky might be completely covered in clouds or clouds may pass in front of the sun on and off during the day. Less sunlight reaches the solar panels on cloudy days.
Other things that could shade solar panels would be large trees next to houses or buildings. Do you think shade caused by trees or clouds will affect the power output of solar panels? In this experiment, you will use the Energy Sensor to help you answer this question.
Objectives
- Measure the power output of three solar panels with Go Direct Energy.
- Use data-collection software to calculate mean (average) values.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment features the following sensors and equipment. Additional equipment may be required.
Ready to Experiment?
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Purchase the Lab Book
This experiment is #6 of Solar Energy Explorations. The experiment in the book includes student instructions as well as instructor information for set up, helpful hints, and sample graphs and data.
