Student Research Reports
Reflection = Perfection
Organization(s):Alpena Elementary/Middle School
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Kaylee Stephenson
Grade Level:Middle School (grades 6-8, ages 11-14)
GLOBE Teacher:Roger Glenn Rose
Contributors:
Report Type(s):Standard Research Report, U.S. Student Research Symposia (SRS)
Protocols:Air Temperature, Barometric Pressure, Clouds, Relative Humidity, Aerosols
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:06/17/2020
This project is the result of an investigation to analyze using a mirror to reflect sunlight onto a solar panel where the solar panel is facing away from the Sun from distances of 5m, 10m, and 15m. It is predicted that the reflected sunlight tests will produce at least 80% of the electricity as the control in direct sunlight.
A 9cm x 30cm solar panel was set up in direct sunlight. Lux and volt readings were collected. Then, the solar panel was setup facing away from the sun. Indirect sunlight Lux and volt readings were collected. Them, a 20cm x 50cm mirror was used to reflect sunlight on the solar panel from 5m, 10, and 15m. 10 readings were collected for each series of tests and analyzed with a statistics t-Test.
Readings for direct sunlight was 82,970Lux, with 21.46volts. Readings for indirect sunlight was 5,750Lux, with 9.52volts. Readings for sunlight reflected from 5m was 106,790Lux, with 21.7volts. Readings for sunlight reflected from 10m was 58,710Lux, with 20.99volts. Readings for sunlight reflected from 15m was 56,280Lux, with 20.77volts.
The hypothesis was partially supported by the data. Voltage output from light reflected at 5m was actually 1% higher than for the direct sunlight. According to the statistics t-Test, the difference was not significant. Readings from light reflected at 10m showed a 2% decrease in voltage and 15m showed a 3% decrease in voltage which were significant according to the t-test. The indirect sunlight tests resulted in a 56% decrease in voltage.