Harnessing power from the sun
Saving the environment, one step at a time!
Agenda
01
04
02
05
03
Energy & Sun
Components
Coding
Design & Creation
Extensions
When you think of energy consumption what comes to mind?
Think of 3 ways you use or need energy each day.
Write 1 way on each post it below and move it to the whiteboard.
Example:
Wind
Inquiry!
Energy Conservation
Energy Conservation refers to the act of preventing wasted or unnecessary energy use, in order to preserve it for the future.
Even as we move toward using more renewable sources of energy, a great rule of thumb to remember is
“If you don’t need it, don’t use it!”
Energy Conservation | Reason #1 | Reason #2 | Reason #3 |
List 3 reasons why saving energy is important. | | | |
Energy Conservation
We know that energy conservation is important for a variety of reasons. Can you list 3 reasons that explain why energy conservation is important?
Consolidation: Energy conservation is a global issue and important to everyone. Check with a friend and share explanations.
Why Conserve Energy?
Today, fossil fuels (non-renewable energy) make up ~80% of our energy usage. As these resources are finite, it is important we focus on conserving energy at home and in our community.
Everytime we use energy at home (electricity, running water…), we can add pollution into our environment, and contribute to global warming.
What can you do to Conserve Energy?
Energy Conservation Ideas:
In the text box below, write down at least 3 ways you can conserve energy.
Conserving Energy - Part 1
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy sources are resources which are quickly replenished by nature. Examples of renewable resources include: wind, hydropower, geothermal, and solar energy.
Renewable energy comes with many benefits, as there are no finite amounts. In other words, we can’t run out of these renewable resources!
What are the SDGs?
759 Million people lack access to electricity
3 out of 4 of them Live in Sub Saharan Africa
Energy Efficiency Rate needs Acceleration.
Accelerated Action on Modern Renewable Energy is needed especially in heating and transport sectors.
Modern Renewable Share of Total Final Energy Consumption...
The Energy Climate Action Kit was created to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically, Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
Here are some reasons why SDG 7 is important...
The Sun is a giant ball of hot, glowing gases at the center of our solar system. More specifically, it is a “yellow dwarf” star.
What does it do for us?
The Sun
Without the sun, the Earth would …
What is Solar Power
People all over the world have been harnessing the sun’s energy for thousands of years. Solar Power is the product of capturing and being able to use energy from the sun.
Some important uses of solar power include:
Energy & Sun
How energy reaches our homes
1. Photons in the sun’s rays hit the solar panel and excite electrons.
2. Solar energy is transformed into electricity.
3. Power lines deliver this electrical energy to our homes.
4. The final result is working electricity in our homes.
Optimizing Sunlight
Commercial Solar Arrays move constantly to collect the maximum amount of sunlight during the day.
There are different types of tracking systems including Single-Axis tracking which turns on one point and Dual-Axis tracking which turns on two points at once.
Components
02
The Photoresistor may be bent flat to its board. Carefully bend the photoresistor up.
Secure the photoresistor to to your cardboard platform, leaving space to add the wires in afterwards.
Coding
03
makecode.microbit.org
Code the Photoresistor
From the light drawer, select display light level at P0. And add it to the forever statement.
From the drop down, change P0 to P1
UpLoad and test the Code
Attach the micro:bit to your computer using the USB cord.
UpLoad and test the Code
UpLoad and test the Code
Unplug the micro:bit from the computer. Place the micro:bit into the slot on the Climate Action Kit breakout board as shown.
The direction the micro:bit LED screen is facing is important.
UpLoad and test the Code
The direction the micro:bit LED screen is facing is important.
UpLoad and test the Code
Step 14: Transfer the USB cord that was plugged into the micro:bit to the input on the Climate Action Kit breakout board. This will provide power to the board, the micro:bit and the connected robotic components.
The power from the USB cord must flow directly into the Breakout Board, NOT through the micro:bit.
UpLoad and test the Code
34
Code the Photoresistor
Test your code
Upload your code to the micro:bit, and connect your micro:bit into the Breakout Board. Plug in your board and turn it on.
Now, cover and uncover the Photoresistor Sensor with your hand.
You should see something like this!
If you need help connecting your micro:bit and downloading your code, skip to Section 5.
35
Code the Photoresistor and Servo
Now that we know how the light sensor works, let’s code our Servo Motor to move to certain positions depending on the light level.
The Servo Motor is capable of turning 180 degrees. However, in our code, the 180 degrees will be performed on a scale from -90 degrees to +90 degrees.
From the starting direction of where the tip of the horn is pointing. You will code the commands to subtract (-) or add (+) 0-90 degrees.
0 °
36
Code the Photoresistor and Servo
Since the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, we know that those two directions will be our range of positions for our solar panel. We also know that the best time of day for solar energy generation is during the middle of the day, when the sun is shining the brightest.
Here’s how we’ll translate those times of day into positions for our solar panel and Servo Motor.
Morning / East = +90 degrees
Mid-day = 0 degrees
Night / West = -90 degrees
Morning / East
+90 degrees
Night / West
-90 degrees
Mid-day
0 degrees
41
UpLoad and test the Code
Attach the micro:bit to your computer using the USB cord.
Design & Create
04
Build Solar Array
build the base
The solar array will need a sturdy base to hold it down.
Build a Solar Array
Make the Solar Panel
Next, use a piece of cardboard to create the panel of your solar array.
The cardboard will need to be able to stand on its own, but the lighter the better. Servo Motors are only so strong, you don’t want to overwork your motor by using a panel that’s too heavy.
Build a Solar Array
design your panel to look like a solar panel
Using markers, tinfoil, or any other supplies, design your cardboard panel to look like a solar panel!
Get creative!
Build a Solar Array
Assemble the Solar Array
Secure or glue the Servo Motor to the base. Then glue the panel to the ‘horns’ on the Servo Motor.
If you use hot glue, make sure it does not touch the screw on top of the Servo Motor!
Extensions
04
48
Unplugged extension
The solar array may need to move in different increments as the weather changes. How can we change the code to allow for a different degree of movement?
Image mirrors for a solar power plant by langalex
Extension 1: How do we change the solar array’s motion?
49
Coding extension
What could you do if you wanted to know the degrees solar array had moved?
Hint - Think about the show number block.
Extension 2: wHAT POSITION IS YOUR SOLAR ARRAY IN?
50
Coding extension
What could you change if you wanted to see what degrees the solar array was at?
Hint - Think about how variables work.
Extension 3: