solar power science experiments

The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

By The Educators Spin On It

Solar Science Experiments for Kids

Solar Science Experiments for Kids are a fun way to teach children about renewable energy sources. These experiments are geared for children ages 5-10, but may be adapted for all ages.

My daughter is getting VERY excited about her upcoming week at science camp!  In preparation for this amazing week-long summer camp, we are trying to get into the habit of “thinking like a scientist!”  

This week, we focused on solar science experiments and creative problem-solving.

Converting Sunlight into Heat.

Absorbing and reflecting heat: solar oven, solar heater: sun tea, solar prints, solar energy books for kids.

A collection of solar science experiments to try with your child in the backyard to encourage them to “think like a scientist!”

We bought this great little kid pool for our backyard and filled it up with cold water right from the faucet. Our baby put his finger in and announced, “COLD pool” and refused to get in. Without filling the pool with water from our home heater, I posed the question:

How can we heat up water the fastest?

This is the solar experiment we decided would best help us answer this question.

Materials Needed:

• 3 identical cups,
• 2 sheets of white paper
• 1 sheet of black.
• 1 plastic lining or plastic bag to cover one cup
• thermometer

Directions.

• Fill each cup with the same amount of liquid of the same cool temperature.
• Measure the water temperature and set one cup on each paper. Cover one of the glasses on white paper with plastic.
• Have a discussion and make predictions about what you think will happen to the water in each glass.
• Let the water sit in a sunny place for one hour.
• Remeasure and discuss the results.

What do you think my kids should do to heat up the water in their pool faster?

* Parent tips:

A black background absorbs more heat than a light background.

Covering the cup slows or stops evaporation. The plastic covering may also absorb some of the suns’ rays.

The kids were fascinated with warming the liquid with the sun and asked, “If the sun can heat up water, what else can it heat up?”  They got to work building their own SOLAR oven using recycled materials.

Materials Needed: (use recycled materials when possible!)

• cardboard box
• black paper
• tortilla chips
• shredded cheese

• Let your child build their own oven. My second grader found some black paper (the back was colored on) and started gluing it inside the box. She then added in some tinfoil, predicting that the foil would reflect the suns rays and heat up her cheese better. She covered the top with saran wrap in hopes it would heat the nachos faster.
• Set the solar oven in a sunny spot.
• Add the chips and top with shredded cheese.
• Set a timer for 5 minutes. Record your results.
• Once the cheese has melted, eat!
• Then, if you choose, try to build another model of a solar oven. Make some changes and compare your results. * THINK like a scientist!!!!* A scientist will perform experiments over and over again to collect data and to figure out better and more efficient ways of doing things.

Some people have tried cooking hot-dogs, nachos are WAY easier!

Keeping a science journal is a great way to connect literacy to science!

Now my kids were on a solar experiment role. “Hey, MOM, do you think we could make your tea with energy from the sun instead of wasting electricity to heat your water inside?” Sure kiddos, what will we need to do?

I love that they were thinking creatively, asking questions, and applying what they have learned.

• Large glass jar
• 2 Bags of Tea

• Fill the jar with water.
• Add 2 tea bags
• Place in a sunny place
• Gently shake every once in a while (per the kids instructions)
• Wait HOURS (they learned the sun is powerful, but does take time to harness the energy)
• Serve warm OR pour over ice cubes for iced tea!

You could talk to your kids about the sun and have them make sun-prints. We used the  solar sun print kit,  but should have just bought the  re-fill package  ($5.99 vs $10.49) as we just used the paper.

Here’s the directions for How to Make Solar Prints with Kids .

More Ideas for Solar FUN :

• Solar Power STEM Camp Activities
• Studying the effects of the sun and the importance of sun screen at the beach
• Solar Eclipse Videos and Activities for Kids
• Running on Sunshine: How Does Solar Energy Work?  by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
• Solar Power: Capturing the Sun’s Energy  by Laurie Brearley
• Solar Story: How One Community Lives Alongside the World’s Biggest Solar Plant  by Allan Drummond
• Time to Shine!  by Catherine Daly

You can explore more sun and solar energy books here in our Summer Books for Kids Book List .

Now we are going to work on keeping our “science caps” for the rest of the month (we are stopping at a thrift store tomorrow to pick up our take-apart to be used during the camp week.

We are going to be on the lookout for electronics powered by the sun – maybe a calculator with a solar panel?

Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be fun to disassemble and tinker with. I’m thinking we won’t be able to wait until camp and may have to find a couple of items for home too! I’m not sure who is more excited about a whole week of science and inventing – her or me!

Looking for more science activities for your child? Try these…

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

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January 24, 2020 at 9:15 am

Thanks for sharing these great solar science experiments. My kids both did camp invention a few years ago and they both had a really good time learning and getting interested in science. They are currently both interested in STEM careers as a matter of fact!

September 8, 2019 at 10:50 pm

Thank you for this great ideas. this is exactly the activity I would like for our school children to learn, and discover how useful the Solar Energy is in our daily lives most of all to our Tribal School Children.

June 4, 2015 at 7:53 am

Love the nachos idea! So much fun!

December 21, 2014 at 11:12 am

Thanks Anna – We LOVE Science and getting kids to think and explore the world around them.

It is so important to foster the curiosity at an early age – you will have to let me know how these experiments turn out!

December 21, 2014 at 11:11 am

The science camp sounds like a ton of fun! Enjoy!

Thanks Maggie – we LOVE making sun tea!

July 12, 2014 at 10:58 pm

This is awesome, Amanda! What a great bunch of science activities!

June 3, 2014 at 8:41 pm

These are such fun ideas. My little guy is so curious about the way things work. He would love to try these.

June 2, 2014 at 11:03 pm

Great summer activities. I am not looking forward to full on summer heat, but it is perfect for these kids of experiments. We are also looking forward to our science camp – camp Galileo.

June 2, 2014 at 5:41 am

Oh I love these!! Especially the Sun Tea one!!!

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Science Projects > Earth & Space Projects > Learn About Solar Energy Science Projects  

Learn About Solar Energy Science Projects

Solar Science Projects

Absorb or reflect, what you need:.

• 2 clear glass pie plates or bowls
• 1 sheet of black construction paper
• 1 sheet of white construction paper
• 2 ice cubes
• A sunny spot outside

What You Do:

1. Place the sheets of black and white paper on a driveway or sidewalk in the sun. (The papers should not be touching each other. Your hand should fit in the space between them.)

2. Set a pie plate on top of each sheet of paper and put an ice cube in the middle of each pie plate.

3. After 5 minutes, check on the ice cubes to see which one has melted the most.

4. If they haven’t melted much, check again in 5 more minutes. Keep checking until the ice in one of the pie plates has completely melted. It could take more than 30 minutes for the ice to melt all the way, depending on how hot it is where you live.

5. Which ice cube melted faster – the one on the white paper or the black paper? Feel the sheets of paper. Which one feels warmest? Touch the dishes too, just be careful because the glass can get pretty hot!

What Happened:

The ice in the dish with black paper under it should have melted first. Both pieces probably started to melt at about the same time, but the one on black probably melted completely into a puddle of water first. Why did it melt before the one on the white paper?

Glass also absorbs heat, so even if you had not put any paper under the dishes, the ice still would have melted from being in the hot sun in glass dishes. Both ice cubes probably would have finished melting at about the same time without the black or white paper, though. The black paper absorbed even more of the sun’s energy (light and heat) than the glass dish, making the ice melt faster. The white paper reflected most of the sun’s energy that hit it, keeping the dish and the ice in it cooler for longer so it took longer to melt. After the ice had melted, the paper and the dishes probably felt very warm (except for in the spot where the ice was keeping it cool). In fact, the dish on top of the black paper probably even felt hot when you touched it! Can you explain why? (Hint: it’s the same reason that the ice melted!)

You can make fun pictures by using the sun’s power to make the color fade from construction paper! This project uses repositionable glue, which you can find in most stores that sell office or school supplies. (Elmer’s and Scotch brands both make this type of glue.) You could also do the project by setting objects on your paper and laying it flat in the sun instead of using the special glue.

• dark colors of construction paper
• solid objects with interesting shapes that you can trace around (leaves, buttons, coins, and plastic toys work well)
• repositionable glue (Optional. Made by Elmer’s or Scotch brands and available where office or school supplies are sold.)
• a window that gets lots of sunlight

1. Trace around your objects on construction paper and cut out each shape. Or, you can draw your own shapes and cut them out. Be creative! You could even draw letters to spell your name.

2. Arrange the paper shapes onto a new sheet of dark-colored construction paper to make a nice design.

3. Use the repositionable glue to stick each shape to your picture. Don’t use much glue though, or it will be hard to peel your shapes off later.

4. Turn the shapes towards the window and tape the corners of your picture to the window to hold it in place.

5. Leave your picture in the window for a couple days or until you notice that the color of the construction paper has started to fade (compare it to a new piece of the same color of paper to see if it has changed).

6. When it is quite a bit lighter than it was when you started (it might take up to a week to get light enough; it depends on how many sunny days you have!), untape the picture from the window and peel off the shapes; they should come off pretty easily, just do it slowly to make sure your picture doesn’t tear.

Have you ever left an art project made from construction paper in the sun for too long? If so, you probably noticed that the color started to fade and the paper ended up a lot lighter than it once was. In this project, you covered parts of the paper with paper shapes, then when you left your picture in the sunlight, it started to fade. Since the shapes blocked sunlight from hitting the parts of the paper that they covered, you could see the original color of the paper after you peeled off the shapes! The extra layer of paper from the shapes protected those parts of the paper from the sun’s rays that faded the color from the rest of the sheet of paper.

Sunlight contains ultraviolet (or UV) rays – the same rays that will give you a sunburn if you are in the sun for too long without sunscreen on. Those rays cause chemical reactions in the dye that gives construction paper its color. When the paper absorbs the rays of light, a chemical reaction breaks down the dyes so they aren’t as bright. You can learn more about chemical reactions here . UV rays can lighten a lot of things. Some people’s hair turns a lighter color when they are in a lot of sunlight. Hanging white laundry outside in the sun to dry can make it look whiter also.

Solar Science Lesson

About the sun.

The sun is the biggest, brightest, and hottest source of light available to us on the earth. It is in the center of our solar system and all the other planets, including Earth, spin around it. Read our newsletter about the solar system to learn more.

Did you know that the sun is actually a star? The outside of the sun (its surface) is covered with very hot gases. The different gases mix together and cause reactions that are called nuclear reactions . Nuclear reactions create a lot of energy, which makes the sun very hot. The heat creates a lot of light too. Did you know that the sun is so bright that it will damage your eyes if you look directly at it? The light from the sun can also hurt your skin. Have you ever had a sunburn? Although sun rays can hurt our bodies if we aren’t careful, nothing would be able to live on the earth without the energy we get from the sun in the forms of heat and light. Plants use energy from the sun to make food, then animals and humans eat plants for food. Without the sun, Earth would be too cold for anyone or anything to live.

The sun is 93 million miles away from Earth. If it were possible to drive from here to there, it would take over 150 years driving at 70 miles per hour (about the same speed you would travel on a highway)! However, light travels very fast and can get from the sun to the earth in about 8 minutes! Here is a close-up picture of the Sun from NASA.

What Is Solar Energy?

Solar energy is light and heat that comes from the sun. Solar means sun and energy is what we need in order to do things. We use energy to do things like eat breakfast and play outside. Energy is also in things around us, like light and heat. The sun shines in the day, giving us light. It also makes the earth warmer, giving us heat. You can learn more about energy here . Solar energy is known as renewable energy , which means that it can never run out.

What Can Solar Energy Be Used For?

– Inside a greenhouse to keep the temperature warm enough for plants to grow all year, even in the winter! (Think about this: on a hot summer day, when a car is parked in the sun for awhile, the inside of the car gets very hot because the car absorbs heat from the sun and everything warms up. That is the same way a greenhouse works.) – To dry clothes on a clothesline. – To warm up water to give a dog a bath outside. – To heat up the water in a swimming pool. – You can even use the sun’s heat to make salt water drinkable! This project shows you how.

Here are some good things about solar power:

• It can never be used up. This means that it is renewable energy .
• After a solar panel is paid for, solar energy is free!
• It can be used in places where electricity is not available, like far away from cities, up in mountains, or even on boats in the ocean!
• It does not release anything into the air. Some kinds of energy release things that are harmful to the environment, people, and animals.
• Solar panels last a long time, usually about 30-40 years!

These are some problems with solar power:

• Solar panels cost a lot. They are expensive to make and keep because they are made of glass and fragile minerals that can break easily, costing money to fix.
• It is only available when the sun is around – that means it won’t work when it’s cloudy or at nighttime!
• It takes lots of space to hold the large solar panels that are needed to make enough electricity to keep large things, like your house, running smoothly.

Science Words

Reflection  – when light or heat hits an object and bounces back in the opposite direction.

Absorption  – when light or heat is collected or soaked up by an object.

Nuclear reactions  – reactions that take place between hot gases on the sun. These reactions release energy.

Solar energy  – light and heat that comes from the sun and can be used to do work.

Renewable energy  – a source of energy that can never be used up or run out. Energy that comes from the sun, water, or wind are examples.

Printable Worksheet

Print out this page on a sheet of heavy paper or cardstock. Kids can color the pictures and cut out the squares to make a matching game. Half of the squares show a way to use solar energy as an alternative to the picture shown on the other squares. Place all the squares face down and take turns flipping two over per turn to find the ones that go together. Talk about ways to save energy from other sources by using the sun’s power.

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Solar Power for Kids Cool Projects & Camps for Kids & Teens

• Solar Kits for Kids

Solar Summer Camps

• Making Electricity With Solar Power

Solar Projects for Teens

Solar resources for parents & teachers.

• Solar Resources for Kids & Teens

The following guide details dozens of fun ideas that teach kids about solar power, including sample projects to do at home and camps offering fun activities that involve solar energy, as well as educational resources for parents and teachers and kid-friendly websites that enlighten kids for a solar-powered future.

Solar Kits & Projects for Kids

The best kind of learning is fun, too. Solar-powered toys and kits not only are environmentally friendly and entertaining, but they also teach kids about how solar power works to make them move and light up. Many can even be assembled by kids. With toys available to suit a wide range of ages and abilities, there’s no shortage of ways to spark kids’ lifelong interest in solar energy and environmental responsibility.

Whether it’s only for a few afternoons or a full week or more away from home, summer camp is where kids make memories, develop interpersonal skills and, of course, have fun. Summer camps also can provide valuable opportunities for kids to learn about solar energy and its impact without feeling like a boring day in science class.

Solar summer camps are available to young people of all ages, from toddlers to soon-to-be high school graduates, and they can take a variety of forms. Low-cost local day camps, weeklong internship opportunities at universities and camps that lie somewhere in between provide campers opportunities to learn about solar energy, get creative and build solar-powered devices like panels, robots and food cookers. Below is a sampling of camps that have put solar energy in the spotlight.

Camps range from one-time labors of love taught at local community centers, to university-sponsored annual events where graduate students teach week-long courses. Some camps appear once on the web or are publicized locally, and others have involved websites.

The typical entry age is fourth grade, but that varies by program. Sixth grade seems to be a frequent age for solar programs. At that age, most kids can be taught to solder wire safely, and have the cognitive ability to understand the basics of DC electrical circuits.

Range from $25 to $1,500 depending on the length of the program, and if overnight stays and food are included in the program.

Start with your local major university and learn if it offers summer outreach programs for STEM students. Then check with your public school district to learn if it offers solar or STEM programs. Community centers offer STEM summer programs, too.

The listing below is meant to show the wide range of solar camps for kids that have been offered around the country. Check with your local community centers and universities to learn about the camps in your area.

Making Electricity With Solar Power Made Simple

The sun produces heat and light, so how do we turn energy from the sun into electricity that people can use? The infographic below provides a brief explanation of how the sun, solar panels, and batteries or other devices work together to convert the sun’s energy into electricity. For a more detailed explanation, see the LetsGoSolar page How Solar Panels Work.

How Solar Panels Work

The sun sends energy in the form of photons. These particles of sunlight bump into solar panels.

When photons reach a solar panel, the panel converts them into electrons that flow through the panel and become electricity.

Solar panels are often called photovoltaic (PV) panels because they use the process of turning photons into electricity, or voltage.

Some devices can use the power that comes straight from a solar panel as long as the panel gets enough light. Others use rechargeable batteries to store the solar electricity and discharge it when needed.

Building solar-powered toys isn’t ideal for everyone, especially older kids and teenagers who are more drawn to practical projects than mechanical dinosaurs and cars. That doesn’t mean that teens have to miss out on the fun. There are tons of solar project tutorials available to teens, whether they’re fascinated by science and engineering or just want to try an eco-friendly DIY project. Solar ovens and simple solar cellphone chargers are two popular projects that teenagers can do inexpensively on their own.

Solar ovens really work for cooking food on sunny days. Plus, you can make a solar oven in an afternoon with materials found around the house or easily obtained from the grocery store. Instructions vary by project, but most call for a box, aluminum foil, clear plastic wrap, a box cutter, and tape. Because a wide range of tutorials is available, teens who don’t have the exact materials for one set of instructions can easily find other sets to match what they have on hand. Don’t have a packing box with flaps, but there’s a pizza box waiting to go into the recycling bin? Follow a pizza box solar oven tutorial.

A solar-curious teen looking for something a bit more advanced might be interested in building a solar cellphone charger. Chargers can be made for around $20, and they’re great for camping trips, dorm rooms with limited outlets and general energy-saving goodness. Charging time will depend on the capacity of the solar panel used, and adding a power bank allows for charging even when the panel isn’t in direct sunlight. Though this project isn’t as fast and easy to build as a solar oven, teens will end up with a rewarding and practical product they made themselves.

Florida Solar Energy Center: The FSEC provides solar energy curricula and professional development resources for K–12 teachers.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory: The NREL provides renewable-energy lesson plans and teaching resources appropriate for elementary, middle and high school students and for teacher development.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority: Access more than 30 hands-on solar-energy science projects appropriate for students in fourth through 12th grade.

Origin Energy – Energy Savers: This Australian site provides useful solar-related lessons and activities that extend beyond science and into other subjects.

U.S. Energy Information Administration: K–12 teachers can find energy-related lesson plans, activities, science fair experiments, field trip ideas and additional resources.

Solar Resources for Kids

NASA’s Climate Kids: Read, watch videos and make projects to learn about solar energy and other ways to protect the earth.

Energy Kids: Kids can play games, conduct experiments and learn about energy and its different sources on this site presented by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Energy Star Kids: Energy Star Kids is packed with information on renewable energy resources, environmental responsibility and how kids can help save energy.

Go SEEK!: Suitable for elementary, middle and high school students alike, Go SEEK! (an acronym for Solar Energy Eco Knowledge) breaks down complex solar energy principles into easy-to-understand terms and offers many fun and useful resources for kids to explore.

NeoK12: Games, lessons and short educational videos help kids learn about different aspects of solar energy.

Solar Kids!: Fun animations, videos, and activities guide kids through solar-power and electricity basics.

Top 7 Solar Panels Science Projects For Beginners

In this short article, we’ll go over the top seven easy solar panel science projects for beginners and those inexperienced with solar power.

Mini Solar Car

Materials needed: popsicle sticks, bottle caps, a small motor, a small solar panel, hot glue gun, soldering iron, a small belt or rubber band, and small, wooden skewers.

Solar-Powered Electric Fan

This project simply connects a fan rotor to a small motor connected to a switch and a small solar panel. After the switch is flipped, the fan should start spinning and provide cool air with enough sunlight. The project’s scope relies entirely on how much power actually comes through a solar panel and how fast that power causes the fan to spin—calculable using a math formula for fan power.

Solar Water Heater

This project teaches how sunlight is absorbed more by black piping. You can quantify the project by measuring the in-and-out temperature of the water and comparing it to either the volumetric flow of the water or the length of the piping.

Mini Solar Model of a House

Mini diy solar oven.

The mini DIY solar oven will act as a smaller version of a normal-sized solar cooker used for cooking food. By covering the inside of the cardboard box with aluminum foil, you can make a 45° lid wrapped in aluminum foil and hold up by wooden sticks.

Mini Solar Drip Irrigation Model

While the project seems complicated, it’s actually simple. The solar drip irrigation model connects a small solar panel to a switch connected to a water pump. The water pump will control the water flow inside of the plastic cup. The plastic cup will have piping that runs from the cup to the dirt or the makeshift crops.

Solar Phone Charger

You can also amp up the charging by hooking up a portable phone charger to the solar panel placed inside the box. That way, you can have charging power ready to go when you’re not in the sunlight!

Solar Energy Experiment - Teach kids about converting light to energy

Posted by Admin / in Energy & Electricity Experiments

Experimenting with small solar panels is helpful in learning how solar energy works. Small scale solar panels are capable of producing only a few watts of power, but they can teach us much more about how larger solar panels are used to help power homes. Small solar panels work the same way that their larger counterparts do, by taking energy from the sun through photovoltaic cells and directly powering a DC electrical device or by storing the energy for later use in a rechargeable battery. Small solar panels are available from a number of sources including Radio Shack and Amazon. The solar panel pictured in the example was purchased from Harbor Freight Tools. Amazon has the Elenco Solar Educational Kit which also includes a 5 VDC motor to match the 5 volt solar panel. The solar panel pictured has a selectable output voltage selector and a built-in blocking diode to allow rechargeable battery changing. Blocking diodes in short will allow voltage to pass only in one direction. This is useful in the case of a solar panel being used to charge batteries because it it were not present the batteries would be discharged back to the photovoltaic cells at night when there is no sunlight to provide power. There is some loss of energy by passing the voltage through a blocking diode, but it is useful for experimentation. Many full-scale solar panel arrays use low-loss Schottky diodes and a fuse between the batteries and each solar panel.

Let's try a simple experiment with the solar panel by testing the output DC voltage and output current from the panel.

Materials Needed

• small solar panel
• A voltmeter or multimeter with probes
• Sunlight or an incandescent light source

EXPERIMENT STEPS

Step 1: Set up the solar panel under a good light source. Generally, direct sunlight will provide the full amount of voltage from the panel. Incandescent light will only provide approximately 50 percent to 75 percent of the stated voltage output of the panels from a distance of about 5 feet from the light source (60 watts). For higher wattage bulbs or closer distances, the output voltage will be higher.

Step 2: Connect the output black (-), negative lead from the solar panel to the negative probe wire of the voltmeter. Connect the output red (+), positive lead from the solar panel to the positive probe wire of the voltmeter. Alligator clips make the connection very easy.

Step 3: Set the voltmeter to test for DC voltage. It may be necessary to set it to a factored dial setting on the voltmeter. Set the meter to DC test, 10 if there are different test settings. Turn on the voltmeter.

Step 4: Observe the voltmeter voltage reading.

Step 5: Set the voltmeter to test for DC current. It may be necessary to set it to a factored dial setting on the voltmeter.

Step 6: Observe the voltmeter current reading.

Step 7: The example solar panel model has a selectable output switch. Changing the switch setting varies both the output voltage and output current. The higher the voltage output the lower the current and vice versa. If your solar panel has selectable settings, try repeating Steps 3-6 with different output settings. If not, try moving the solar panel closer and further away from the light source while output readings are observed.

SCIENCE LEARNED

Solar panels are capable of producing electricity from not only sunlight, but also from artificial light sources. The amount of voltage produced from a small solar panel is surprisingly good, however, the amount of current produced from this same solar panel is minimal. To produce enough electricity to be useful, much larger solar panels are required. We also found that directing the panels towards the light source helps to maximize the energy output. In practice, the position of solar panels is optimized to receive the most amount of sunlight possible. Many times, solar fields also include servo motors to help change the position of the solar panel to track the sun's position using a photoresistor sensor.

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Solar Energy Science Projects for Kids

July 2, 2019

This summer, there’s no doubt your kids are outside enjoying some fun in the sun. Turn one of the season’s most prominent features into a memorable learning experience by studying everything about the sun and solar system! 

Naturally, one of the most exciting sun-related facts is regarding fascinating solar eclipse science. Unfortunately, with only three upcoming eclipses in 2019, none of which are visible in the United Sates, this year doesn’t present a good opportunity to observe one. So, what can a parent do to teach children about solar science? Look no further than solar energy and outer space! 

Let’s break down each topic individually to discover what fun facts your child should know and take a look at some experiments and project ideas to play around with this summer! 

Solar Power Facts Every Kid Should Know

Energy powered by the sun is a hot topic these days thanks to the need for alternate electricity sources due to climate change. This fact alone makes it critical that kids learn about the potential of solar power to light our world since the sun is a natural source of energy! 

You might be wondering what your kids should understand before tackling solar science activities. Check out the following fun facts about solar energy that your kids will love: 

• Humans have been using the sun for thousands of years! Some uses include telling the time, cooking, heating, and drying clothes. 
• Many everyday devices already use solar power, like calculators, swimming pool heating covers, pedestrian traffic lights, and school zone flashers. 
• It’s not the bright light that creates energy, it’s the heat! 
• Some people are adding solar panels on top of their houses to give them electricity without having to pay an electric bill.
• Spacecraft and equipment on the International Space Station use solar power. 
• There’s enough energy to power the entire Earth’s electricity needs if we were to install enough panels across the globe! 

Solar Energy Science Activities for Kids

Now that your kids know a little more about the vast powers of the sun, discover the following fun-filled science activities: 

Build a Solar Stove  

Can you really cook an egg on the sidewalk during hot summer’s day? Maybe so, but there is a much more efficient (and cleaner!) way to do it. Create this solar stove to cook food, much like an oven. Try it out with cookie dough, s’mores, or go ahead and try making that fried egg!

Supplies Needed:  

• Aluminum foil 
• Plastic wrap
• Box cutter (parental guidance recommended) 
• 1 paper plate
• Food to cook, like the items mentioned above! 

What to Do:

To get started, close the empty pizza box with the lid and using the box cutter, cut a square-shaped flap into the top of the box, about 2 inches from the sides and front. This flap will be pulled and propped up with the ruler later on. 

Next, using the foil, wrap the interior of the box, and the bottom surface of the flap, ensuring that the shiny side is facing out. 

Lift the top of the box up and wrap the opening that the flap left with plastic wrap and tape it into place underneath the lid. Close the box top again and lift the flap up and prop it with the ruler. This will reflect the sun’s rays onto the food below it.

Finally, place the food you’re cooking onto the center of the paper plate and place it inside the opening of the box, underneath the flap, but on top of the plastic wrap that is taped to the underside of the cut box top. Depending on what you’re baking, your climate and how hot it is on the day of your experiment, it might take anywhere from a half hour to a few hours to cook the food. Keep checking in 30-minute intervals throughout the day to see if it is done. Don’t forget to discuss with your child how the sun’s heat is being intensified through the use of foil to cook your treats! 

Make a Solar Night Light

This simple project will give your kids a useful tool they can use over and over again! Use nightlights for evening stories, or light up an evening picnic with these delightful solar jar lights.

• Large-mouth mason jars
• Solar pathway lights—try to find lights that have a diameter that will just fit into the mouth of the jars

What to Do:  

To get started, disassemble the pathway lights by taking to top off and removing the plastic strip that protects the battery pack, as directed by the product instructions. Then, place the solar panel in the sun for at least a full day. Feel free to discard the rest of the pathway light pole, as this will not be needed for the project.

In the evening after being left in the sun, fit the solar panel piece connected to the light unit into the top of the mason jar. Because it was sitting out all day, the light should already be illuminated. Give it to your child and have him or her take it with him to bed or use at an outdoor evening party. Discuss with your child how the sun fueled the battery pack inside making the light shine.

Making a Solar Panel or Cell 

If your older child is ready for a challenge and a treat, it’s time to take on making a homemade solar cell! While commercial solar panels are made of materials that can only be made in a factory, you can make another version using some basic materials found at your local hardware shop. 

• A sheet of copper flashing, about a half a square foot
• 2 alligator clip leads
• A micro ammeter 
• An electric stove; if you have a gas stove top, consider purchasing an electric table top burner 
• Large-mouth mason jar
• 2 tablespoons salt
• Sheet metal sheers to cut the copper

Before beginning, wash your hands to ensure that any oils are completely cleaned off hands before touching the copper sheet. Next, cut the copper sheet into a rectangle or square-shaped piece about the size of your electric stove burner. Turn on the burner to high. 

Don’t worry about the changes you are seeing in the copper, as this is normal! You should see orange, purple, and red hues as the oxidation process begins. As it gets even hotter, you will notice that the copper is turning black. This is cupric oxide, which will flake off later. Let this cook for at least a half hour to ensure the black coating is thick. 

After the half hour is over, turn off the burner and let the copper sheet sit to cool down. Do not remove it since it needs to cool slowly for about 20 minutes or so. You’ll start to notice the cupric oxide flaking off the copper in large pieces. After cooling, remove any additional black flecks off by running it under cool water and using your hands. 

Next, cut another piece of copper about the same size as the first. Bend it and fit it inside the mason jar, near the top and attach it with an alligator clip lead. Do the same for the cooked copper, making sure that the side that was facing up on the burner is facing out. Attach this sheet opposite from the new piece of copper and attach with the other alligator clip lead. 

To continue, take the other end of the lead that is attached to the new copper piece and plug it into the positive terminal of your micro ammeter. Connect the other lead that is connected to the cooked copper to the negative terminal of the device.

Finally, mix the salt into hot tap water and carefully pour it into the jar without getting the leads wet, but filling up the jar, leaving just about an inch of the copper plates above the water. Position the jar connected to the micro ammeter towards the sun and watch the needle on the device! Record the microamps of electricity being generated by the sun’s energy! 

Fun Solar System Facts Your Child Will Love

Once your child has explored solar energy, move on to another fascinating sun-related topic: the solar system! As most children already know, the planets including our own revolves around the sun. To find facts that your child probably doesn’t know, check out the following: 

• Our solar system also includes flying objects like asteroids and meteorites
• We have 5 dwarf planets as our faraway neighbors: Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Makemake, and Humea
• The sun produces a wind that isn’t the same as the wind here on Earth! 
• It takes about 8 minutes for the light from the sun to reach our planet
• The sun is so big that it makes up about 99.86% of the mass in our solar system! 
• Our solar system was made about 4.6 billion years ago! 
• The sun isn’t just any ball of gas! It is made up of several layers and includes a core, just like Earth. The top layer is called the corona and cannot be seen by the naked eye! It can only be viewed during an eclipse, and only after using the right equipment. 

Solar System Science Project Ideas

Now that you’ve got your child’s attention, it’s time to get started on exciting science projects. Below are unique ideas to keep your little scientist busy this summer:

Pegboard Layers of the Sun

Try this creative project to teach your child more about the sun! Make and label its layers without ever cutting a single Styrofoam sphere. 

• Large round Perler pegboard
• Red, yellow, and orange Perler fused beads; try to find a several multipacks at your local arts and craft store
• Materials to label the layers, like printed labels 
• Hot glue gun 

What to Do:   

To get started, make sure your child knows the three major layers of the sun that kids should learn, which include the core, the radiative zone, and the convective zone. Sure, there are many more details, but kids are just learning the basics. Make the labels ahead of time so they’re ready to go when it’s time to glue them on the model. 

Next, get started with the pegboard. Take the board out of its packaging and use the beads as the small core in the middle, the yellow as the inner ring, and the orange beads as the outer layer of the sun. Be sure to make the outer convective layer a bit thinner than the inner radiative zone. 

When the model is constructed, follow the instructions on the Perler bead package. It will give specific product-related directions for fusing the beads together using an iron. 

After the beads are fused, use the glue gun to adhere the labels to each layer. For older children, break down the sun into further details, like corona spots, and make a model that reflects specifics about the sun! 

Tap Light Solar System

Just think- now your children could review the solar system each night before bed by simply tapping on these adorable lights! Your kids will glow with excitement while completing this exciting solar system project! 

• 10 push lights; multipacks are available at various retailers
• Glass paint in a variety of colors and paint brushes; Folk Art Enamels work the best! 
• Batteries for lights- check the packaging to see what size and how many are needed

Make sure to protect the area with newspaper or drop clothes that are appropriate for a messy afternoon of painting! When ready, take out the push lights and organize them deciding which will be what planet. Prepare the lights by placing the batteries and test the lights to ensure they are all in working order. 

Choose the paint colors for each planet and get started painting one planet at a time! For instance, use blue and green for Earth, and a mixture of red with some orange for Mars, etc. To make some planets look smaller, use black paint and cover the sides and rims of the tap lights to make the colored surface smaller. Continue until all the planets are painted, including the sun, and optionally Pluto and Earth’s moon. Set aside to dry. 

When the lights are dry, cover the lights with a thin coating of Mod Podge to “set” the paint to prevent it from flaking off when the buttons are pressed. Place the lights in the desired room, sticking them to the wall to form the solar system. Close any blinds and curtains and turn the lights on to view the solar system in a dazzling new way! 

Try the above experiments and projects and watch as your child spends each sizzling summer day having a blast while learning. And don’t forget, for extra practice, turn to kidsacademy.mobi for quality learning resources and materials! 

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Solar Power Study Kit

The solar power kit offers a hands-on exploration on how to harness the amazing power of the sun including using a solar cell, making a solar oven, and creating a parabolic mirror.   More Info

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What’s included, specifications, more details, science standards, videos & guides, shipping & returns.

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The solar power kit offers a hands-on exploration on how to harness the amazing power of the sun including using a solar cell, making a solar oven, and creating a parabolic mirror. More Info

DESCRIPTION

Explore the developing science of how to harness the Sun as a green source of energy.  Designed with both students and educators in mind, this kit provides hands-on experiments that highlight different ways we can utilize the ever-present Sun to produce functional forms of energy.

Why Choose Our Solar Power Kit?

• Engaging and Educational:   Investigate various ways the Sun can be used to produce useful sources of renewable energy presented in a way that excites scientific minds.
• Interactive Learning:   Students learn by doing, using step-by-step instructions paired with complimentary extensions and driving questions that ensures lasting knowledge.
• In-Depth Exploration:  See the big picture, the details, and everything in between.  This kit sparks curiosity and encourages both a fundamental understanding and a deep exploration of solar energy.
• Problem-Solving Skills:   Confident in your knowledge and skills?  Extend the learning experiences even further by tackling open-ended extension experiments that will require critical thinking and outside-the-box problem solving skills.

Answer Key Questions:

• How can solar energy be converted into electrical energy?
• What is the relationship between electromagnetic energy and wavelength?
• Can solar energy be useful in a survival situation?
• What careers are involved in solar energy?

MORE INFORMATION BOX

CONTENTS TAB

Items included in this kit:

• 8 Bendy straws
• Alligator clips
• Aluminum foil
• Black construction paper
• Box, HST branded cardboard
• Box, white with pizza top
• Cellophane three pack (red, green, blue)
• Clear sheet
• Emergency blanket
• Large pie pan
• Magnifying glass
• Small pie pan
• Thermometer
• Watch glass

In addition, you will need the following items:

• Flashlight or cell phone flash

SPECIFICATIONS TAB

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7 Sun-Science Experiments to Make Your Day

These long summer days call for kiddie pools and ice cream, but they also call out for kids science! Solar science, to be exact. The following easy science experiments for kids will help them look at the sun in a whole new light. Scroll down to get going.

1. S'more Solar Oven

Harness the power of the sun to make your favorite campfire treat! With just a few common household items you can create an  eco-friendly oven  just for melting marshmallows and chocolate, plus you can teach kids about the power of the sun. Click  here  to learn how.

2. Solar Viewing Camera

Peer at the sun safely with a  DIY pinhole camera  as the perfect viewing tool. You can also use it to teach the kiddos about the basics of how a camera lens works. For an easy step-by-step that takes less than 30 minutes to create, click  here .

3. Melting Rates

Different colors have different heat absorbing capacities. Black has the greatest heat absorbing capacity, which results in ice melting quicker than on white, which reflects the most light. Learn how to observe and report on which colors affect ice’s melting rates  here , on Green Planet Solar Energy. Get more sidewalk science ideas  here .

4. DIY Sundial

Unravel the mysteries of time. Or at least figure out the basics by  setting up a sundial  outside. Take time each hour to check the sun’s positioning and make note of it so your sidekick can see the bigger picture. Try variations like  this one with paper and clay or use rocks and shadow to make a human sundial!

5. Make Your Own Raisins

Grapes are made up of lots of water. The heat from the sun causes the water to evaporate from the grapes, and it also caramelizes the sugar in a grape, making it sweeter. Get your recipe  here  on Planet Science.

6. Make Sun Tea

Believe it or not, making a batch of sun tea is an excellent lesson in the power of sunshine. It’s a lesson in heat—seeing how long it takes the water to heat enough to really diffuse the tea bags or fresh herbs—and it teaches kids about currents as the water heats up, something you can view as the tea begins to diffuse into the clear water. Don’t shake or stir, just let nature take its course.

7. Shadow Drawing

Set up toys on paper and let the kids draw once the shadows hit. Try drawing at different times of day and experiment with the angle of the sun and the shadows it creates as you track its journey across the sky. You can draw right on the sidewalk with chalk, too. Pick toys with distinctive outlines.

—Amber Guetebier

RELATED STORIES 

Classic Science Experiments for Kids 

Edible Science Experiments Worth a Taste-Test 

Gross-but-Cool Science Experiments for Kids 

Easy Science Experiments for Kids That Use Water

Science Experiments About Floating & Density

featured photo: qimono via pixabay

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Sun and Solar STEM Experiments for Kids

You may not think a whole lot about the sun most of the time, but you can do a lot more with sunlight than just get sunburn. There are all sorts of fun experiments you can do using the light and heat from the sun, and you can even use it to make electricity! Try out some solar-powered activities on the next sunny day and you could learn a lot about what the sun can do.

Solar Science Experiments for Kids

A board-certified teacher provides directions for three different experiments about sun tea, absorbing and reflecting heat, and converting light into heat.

Capturing the Sun’s Warmth

This website provides information and instructions on an experiment to test different materials to see which material will absorb more of the sun’s heat.

Solar Energy Word Search

Want to get introduced to some new science terms before you jump in and start learning? Check out this easy word search puzzle!

Energy Kids: Riddles

Nothing is better than a good giggle. Share these riddles with your friends so you can all learn something new together.

Make S’Mores With a Solar Oven

Who doesn’t love s’mores? Try making your very own s’mores with the sun as your energy source.

Inside a Solar Cell

Learn about what is inside a solar cell and why it creates electricity.

Solar Power 101: How Does Sunlight Turn Into Electricity?

Watch this video and learn all there is to know about how solar power works.

Solar Power Clicker

Upgrade your solar power grid to generate the most power.

Solar Energy Activity Workbook

Ask your parents to print out these activities for you. You can complete a crossword puzzle or even do a scavenger hunt!

Output of a Solar Cell

Here, you’ll find directions and a video demonstration for an experiment that tests how well solar cells create electricity.

Solar Energy Defenders

Fight off the vampires in this game by using what you know about solar energy to collect energy and keep the vampires out of your school dance!

The “Hot Enough to Fry an Egg on the Sidewalk” Trick

This is a classic experiment that everyone should try at least once! Try your hand at cooking an egg on the sidewalk on a hot day. Do you think it’ll work? Try it and find out!

Experiment on Solar Energy and Colors

Do you think different colors absorb more sun than others? Try this experiment and see which color melts the ice cubes fastest!

Facts About the Sun

Take a break, sit down, and do a quick worksheet to test your knowledge about the sun. You can complete this online or ask your parents to print it.

Solar Car Derby

You’ll find the procedure and a demonstration video to build a solar-powered derby car on this site. Work with your parents to build your own car and discover how solar cells work.

Solar Plane

Time to take flight! Work with your parents to follow the instructions on this website to create a solar-powered plane.

Solar Activities for Students

A few more activities to demonstrate how solar energy works can be found here.

Here, you will find instructions for how to create a sundial. A sundial lets you tell the time using the motion of the sun across the sky.

Make Sun Paper

Like crafts? Try this craft activity and see how similar you can make your paper sun look to the real thing!

Solar Energy Game

Play this game to see how well you understand solar energy.

Solar Cooker

Some experiments have different ways to complete them. Try this variation of the s’mores experiment as an excuse to make more solar s’mores!

Activities Involving Solar Energy

Here are a few more activities, one of which is testing to see if the sun can blow up a white or black balloon!

Solar Energy Activities

Need a new night light? Try making your own! Follow the instructions on this site to create your very own solar-powered night light.

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Solar Energy for Kids: Science, Activities & History

Blog Updated: July 2024

This one is for you, parents! Yes, it says solar energy for kids in the title, but we’re also hoping you get a moment of reprieve, too. We’ve compiled solar related activities for a wide range of ages, and we also provide a quick primer on the science behind solar energy for kids. Solar energy is not only a fun STEM topic, but it’s also one of the many puzzle pieces that can address the climate crisis we’re facing.

If you’d like advice on how to have a more serious conversation about climate change with your kids, NPR's Life Kit series has a great 20-minute podcast on the subject, “ How to Talk to Kids About Climate Change .” It’s a helpful resource for talking to younger and older kids about this complex issue. We also tackled this complex topic in our recent blog post.

Solar Energy for Kids

When explaining complex topics to kids, it's best to stick to the basics and use words they'll understand. 

Here's our kid-friendly explanation of solar energy:

Solar panels are a lot like plants. While plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into the energy they need to live and grow, solar panels convert sunlight into energy to power your home. But how do solar panels take sunlight and make it into electricity?

Each solar panel is made up of lots of connected solar cells, and these cells are made up of a few layers of materials. There are two layers of silicon (the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust) that are sandwiched between conductive material. One side of the silicon sandwich has extra electrons (making it negatively charged), and the other has extra holes for electrons to move into (making it positively charged).

EPA , courtesy

When sunlight hits the silicon, the energy from the sun knocks electrons in the negatively charged side of silicon loose. These electrons then flow through the conductive material to the positively charged side of silicon, creating an electric current. This direct current (DC) flows from your solar cells in your solar panels to what is known as an inverter. Inverters convert DC voltage to alternating current (AC) voltage, which powers your home.

Once they’re done doing their jobs, the electrons that were knocked loose return to their original spots in the silicon, so there’s nothing that gets worn out or used up! This endless loop makes it so solar panels can make clean electricity for decades .

Check out this TED-Ed video for a more visual explanation of how solar panels work:

Solar Energy Activities

That’s enough science and history for now. Let’s inject some fun into these conversations about solar energy with some more hands on games and experiments for kids. There are many solar energy activities for kids, so we’ve split it out into age group.

Elementary School

• Go on an electricity scavenger hunt in your home to find all the places and items that use electricity.
• Play Power Up!, a game from NASA’s Climate Kids program where the goal is to maximize your renewable energy sources to power homes.
• Learn about the power of the sunlight using old crayons and the sun! By following these directions , you can make multi-colored and fun shaped up-cycled crayons.
• What does it look like to live in a cleaner environment? What might renewable energy look like at your house or in your town? Draw us a picture, share it, and tag us @namastesolar. We’d love to see your vision for the future!

Junior High

• Wanna make a light bulb shine using household items? Follow these directions to dive into a super life hack about how to transfer energy using food, or learn more about electricity and the transfer of energy by following along this experiment using little more than magnets and saltwater. We’d love to see your experiments in action! Take a video, share it on social, and tag us @namastesolar.
• Play Offset , a game from NASA’s Climate Kids program with the aim of reducing CO2 output and replanting forests to absorb CO2.
• Create your own word search puzzles or play this crossword puzzle with your kids.
• Take a couple of minutes to test your energy knowledge using the Energy Kids solar IQ test .

High School

• Take a carbon footprint calculator test and find out what your environmental impact is and what you can do to lessen that.
• Dig into the science of electricity and create your own homemade cellphone battery using little more than copper wire and magnets. Create your very own electric motor using some simple household items including a battery, magnet, paper clips, and coil of wire. We’d love to see your experiments in action! Take a video, share it on social, and tag us @namastesolar.

Who’s Who in Solar History

The history of solar is filled with lots of interesting facts and characters. There have been lots of people who played a role to make solar power happen. These historical figures are great for pointing out milestones in solar technology development when explaining solar energy for kids.

• Edmond Becquerel: The story of solar energy began in 1839 when French physicist Becquerel found that when he was experimenting with a cell made of metal electrodes in a conducting solution, the cell produced more electricity when it was exposed to light. This is called the photovoltaic effect.
• Charles Fritts: In 1883, Fritts created the first solar cell by coating selenium with a thin layer of gold. A year later, he installed the first solar panels on a New York City rooftop.
• Albert Einstein : Einstein furthered awareness and acceptance of solar power when, in 1905, he published a paper on the photoelectric effect and how light carries energy. He even went on to win a Nobel Prize for his work on the photoelectric effect.
• Mária Telkes : Telkes was a biophysicist and engineer who immigrated from Hungary to the United States. In 1940, she joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Solar Energy Conversation Project and worked on the Dover House project, a house made to be entirely heated by solar. Telkes designed a system based on chemical reactions that would utilize the sun’s energy to heat and cool the house.
• President Jimmy Carter : President Carter had solar panels installed onto the White House roof in the 1970s in order to promote awareness of renewable energy options.
• Hazel O’Leary : From 1993-1997, O’Leary was the first black woman to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Energy. Under the Clinton administration, she was influential in directing federal policy toward prioritizing renewable energy. She also connected energy use with our health and environmental quality and increased financial support for the renewable energy industry.

A Better Future

Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, the climate crisis is here, and kids are paying attention to how we react. Discussing serious topics like global warming and pollution is tough, but the more we arm kids (and ourselves) with knowledge, the more prepared we’ll all be. We believe clean, renewable energy, especially solar, is a better way to power the future, and that by educating the next generation on solar energy we can continue to make our world a better place.

If you're interested in exploring solar power for your home, we'd love to help. You can reach out to our non-commissioned sales team by clicking the button below. 

Recommended Reading:

How Solar Energy Works: A Kid Friendly Explanation  

Climate Change and Easy Science Experiments for Kids

Solar Energy Fun Facts

Thanks for reading our blog! Are you ready to explore clean energy options for your home or business? Reach out for a no-pressure chat with one of our non-commissioned experts. We're here to help you save money while making a positive impact on the environment!

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Fenice Energy

Creative Solar Energy Model Ideas for Science Projects

Explore innovative solar energy model ideas to ignite your science projects with eco-friendly technology and renewable energy creativity!

Reduce your electricity bills by 90%

The shift to renewable energy is now more crucial than ever. How can sunlight not just power our homes, but also spark creativity? Fenice Energy ignites this curiosity with solar energy model ideas . These ideas blend well with sustainable energy and green tech. In India’s tech scenes, students from Electrical Engineering (EEE) and Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE) are doing wonders. They turn sunlight into groundbreaking science projects. The field of sustainable energy concepts is vast, including solar street lights, solar irrigation, and solar-powered traffic lights. Each innovation moves us closer to a cleaner future.

Step into the dynamic realm of solar energy model ideas , lit by Fenice Energy’s expertise. Here, young inventors aren’t just making projects. They’re solving real issues, like lighting streets and aiding agriculture. This story goes beyond renewable energy projects . It’s an invite to explore green tech that’s shaping sustainable futures in India and beyond.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Discover the endless possibilities of solar energy through practical and innovative science projects.
• Understand how Fenice Energy’s commitment to clean energy is influencing the next generation of engineers.
• Learn about the diverse applications of solar technology, from street lighting to advanced irrigation systems.
• Explore the transformative potential of solar energy in driving eco-friendly advancements in urban and rural settings.
• Get inspired by the synergy between engineering education and real-world sustainable energy solutions.

Exploring the Fundamentals of Solar Energy Models

Delving into the world of solar power innovations is crucial. We must grasp the two main technologies. They are the foundation of today’s alternative energy solutions .

The way we harness the sun’s energy has grown. Photovoltaic systems and concentrated solar power are leading. They push us towards a sustainable future.

Understanding Photovoltaic Systems and Their Components

Photovoltaic systems are changing how we harness solar power. Most solar panels today are less than 30% efficient. The goal is to improve solar technology’s boundaries.

In labs, some systems have reached 47% efficiency. They use intense directed light beams. Still, most silicon panels work below 30% efficiency. This shows a big chance for improvement.

The Role of Concentrated Solar Power in Energy Harvesting

Concentrated solar power (CSP) uses solar thermal energy. It’s not about direct electricity from light. CSP is more efficient than traditional solar cells.

It involves large mirror fields that focus sunlight onto a tower. This tower has a receiver with molten salt that gets very hot. This heat produces electricity more efficiently than most photovoltaic systems.

Real-world Applications of Solar Energy: From Irrigation to Street Lighting

Fenice Energy shows practical uses of these technologies. Solar power manages farms and lights up streets. Its versatility is seen in traffic signals which support sustainability.

Fenice Energy is pushing renewable sources in India. They use concentrated solar power . Their work paves the path for new solar innovations.

Solar Energy Model Ideas for Engineering Students

In India, engineering students are focusing more on renewable energy projects . They see these projects as a way to create a greener future. It’s incredible to think that the sun can provide enough energy in one hour to power the world for a year.

Students are making solar energy systems for homes . Such projects teach them both theory and practice in green energy design . Designing and building solar-powered gadgets teaches them how to change our energy use.

Solar systems are durable and eco-friendly. Solar panels come with a 20 to 25-year warranty. Plus, they don’t produce greenhouse gases. This makes solar energy more appealing.

Solar energy’s scope is broad. It’s used in homes, industries, transport, remote places, and even for heating pools.

Future engineers should know about different solar panel types. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels use silicon wafers. But, thin-film solar panels use other materials, like CdTe, a-Si, and CIGS. Each type has its own benefits and uses.

Setting up a solar system can be expensive at first. You need to buy solar panels, batteries, and inverters. But, Fenice Energy points out that you’ll save a lot on utility bills later. This makes it a good investment.

Student projects can vary from a simple solar battery charger to a complex solar charging station. These projects meet educational standards like NGSS and Common Core. They show how to apply science and math in real life.

Fenice Energy suggests starting with simple design problems. Choose projects with clear goals within certain limits. This prepares students for using solar technology in the real world. You can find tools and materials easily for these projects.

Learning about solar energy’s entire lifecycle teaches many skills. Students learn to measure accurately, understand electricity basics, and connect circuits. These skills are crucial for a career in renewable energy technologies.

Solar energy is very clean, even though cloudy days can lower its output. It’s one of the least polluting energy sources. And with the sun expected to last another 5 billion years, solar energy is key for future renewable energy projects by India’s engineers.

Diving Into DIY: Home-based Projects Fueled by Solar Power

It’s now easier than ever to live greener with DIY solar projects. The rise in home solar systems has led to new, efficient, and eco-friendly tech. Anyone can start these projects to use solar power at home.

Fenice Energy offers DIY initiatives that focus on clean energy. We will look at projects that light your home and power gadgets while reducing carbon footprints.

Creating a Personalized Solar-powered Charger for Gadgets

Imagine charging your devices with sunlight. Building a solar-powered charger is a great first project. It combines technology and eco-awareness, offering an eco-friendly charging option.

DIY Solar Panel Installation for Sustainable Home Energy

Installing DIY solar panels helps achieve energy independence. This process shows a commitment to sustainable energy. Fenice Energy offers advice to homeowners, helping them save on energy costs.

Innovating Green Design: Crafting Eco-friendly Solar Lamps and Bulbs

Creating solar lamps and bulbs blends beauty with function. These projects bring innovation to sustainable energy, providing efficient and attractive lighting.

DIY solar projects promote self-sufficiency and responsible living. Here are some costs for these projects in India:

Whether it’s a charger that frees you from walls or solar bulbs that shine bright, these projects show that sustainable living begins at home. Fenice Energy helps Indian families use eco-friendly technology daily.

Integrating Arduino in Solar Energy Projects

Solar Arduino projects mix innovative engineering with energy-saving strategies. These projects use the Arduino’s ease and flexibility to change how we use solar power. According to the International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science , with a high Impact Factor of 7.868 in April 2023, these projects are important for global sustainability and energy security.

A look at Issue [4999] in the journal shows us a new solar tracker system and a hybrid solar model that boosts solar panel efficiency. The next issues, [5000] and [5001], talk about making the most energy possible and using energy-saving solutions in solar systems.

In Arduino-powered solar projects, there are many uses like solar trackers. Studies show these can really up the energy we get, especially if we also study dust amounts. The voltage for these trackers was found to be between 2.13 V and 9.89 V.

Looking at solar panels with reflectors, tests showed voltages from 2.01 V to 9.62 V at various times. This showcases how crucial new engineering is for solar power. Fenice Energy is leading the way in creating smart, tech-driven green energy solutions.

New studies introduce IoT and algorithms for better power tracking, and the idea of IoT-controlled cooling fans to make solar systems work better. It also talks about how important monitoring tech is for saving and managing energy in solar PV systems.

The creation of a smart, IoT-based household system is a smart move. It shows how Fenice Energy is cutting costs in electricity distribution, which could be up to 30% of the price.

Using an Arduino Mega2560, sensors, and a range of interactable hardware, we can now fabricate an integrated smart distribution board that not only monitors but also efficiently distributes electricity within households. – International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science , Issue [4999].

There’s also focus on Pakistan’s industries and homes, showing a need for a new kind of solar energy system in Issue [5001]. This could help with electricity in rural areas and spread resources in small, connected communities.

Fenice Energy is leading the way in energy efficiency. They’re addressing the growing global demand for power and making sure innovative solutions are affordable, especially in places like Pakistan. These solar Arduino projects are key for a green energy future and economic growth.

Revolutionary Green Energy Designs: Solar Inverters and LED Concepts

Solar inverter projects are vital in harnessing the sun’s power for daily use. They turn the sun’s energy into electricity we can use at home or work. Engineering experts are creating advanced solar inverters for better power management. This innovation changes DC power to AC, making solar energy more useful worldwide. Fenice Energy leads this change with its efficient solar inverters.

Maximizing Efficiency with Advanced Solar Inverter Models

New solar inverter designs focus on sustainability. They use SQ3525 ICs and quasi-Z-source inverters to improve solar system performance. These upgrades increase energy output and show commitment to green energy. Fenice Energy uses these advanced systems in India for a sustainable, cost-effective power source.

Illuminating Clean Energy through Solar LED Innovations

Solar LED combines eco-friendliness with technology. Projects include solar-powered home lights and streetlights, focusing on saving energy. These LEDs are efficient, long-lasting, and cut down on power use. Fenice Energy is leading with renewable lighting solutions in India, showcasing the brightness and efficiency of green energy.

What are some innovative solar energy model ideas for science projects?

Students can explore a variety of ideas. They can look into solar-powered street lights or solar irrigation systems. They might also consider eco-friendly solar appliances and home energy management systems. Models could focus on grid-tied and off-grid solar projects to learn about renewable energy.

How do photovoltaic systems work?

Photovoltaic systems capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. This happens using solar panels that have silicon inside. When sunlight hits the silicon, it creates an electric current. This process is called the photovoltaic effect.

What is concentrated solar power and how is it used in energy harvesting?

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a small area. This generates heat to produce electricity using a steam generator. CSP is great for large power plants and can store energy for when there’s no sunlight.

What are some real-world applications of solar energy?

Solar energy is used in many ways. It powers irrigation, lights up streets, and signals traffic. It heats for industrial uses, and even powers small things like watches or calculators. More and more homes and buildings now use solar panels for power.

Can you suggest some solar energy system ideas for home use?

Yes, there are many ideas for home use. Engineering students can make solar-powered charging stations or compact solar inverters. They might also create solar lighting systems or solar heaters. These systems help cut down on grid power use and promote energy freedom.

What type of solar-powered gadgets can engineering students create?

Engineering students can make many gadgets. They can create portable solar chargers or solar Bluetooth speakers. There are also solar-powered fans and solar insect robots that work on their own.

How can I make a personalized solar-powered charger for my gadgets?

To make your solar charger, you’ll need solar panels, a charge controller, and batteries. You can adjust the setup for your gadgets to charge them anytime, without needing the power grid.

Is it feasible to install DIY solar panels for home energy needs?

Yes, installing DIY solar panels is a great idea. With some electrical knowledge and planning, you can power home appliances. This reduces your electricity costs and supports sustainable living.

What are eco-friendly solar lamp and bulb projects I can do on my own?

You can work on several projects by yourself. Try making outdoor solar lanterns for your garden or solar jar lights for decoration. You can also create indoor solar bulbs to cut down on electricity use. These projects need simple parts like LED lights, solar panels, and batteries.

Which Arduino-based solar energy projects are suitable for beginners?

Beginners have many simple projects to choose from. They can build a solar-powered weather station or a basic sun tracker. They might also make a solar energy monitor to see real-time data. These projects are a good start to learn about solar energy and electronics.

What are some advanced solar inverter models that engineering students can develop?

Engineering students can aim high with their inverter models. They can use advanced ICs for better power efficiency or develop solar-powered variable-speed drives. Other options include inverters with energy storage and IoT for smart grids.

How can one innovate with solar LED lighting systems?

There are many ways to innovate. You could design energy-efficient home lighting that looks great. Or create smart street lights that change brightness based on the surroundings. These use LEDs for their low power needs and long life, all powered by solar energy.

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How NASA Uses and Improves Solar Power

The sun is the most energetic object in our solar system ..

Humans have been finding creative ways to harness the Sun's heat and light for thousands of years. But the practice of converting the Sun’s energy into electricity — what we now call solar power — is less than 200 years old. Yet in that short time, solar power has revealed the Sun’s limitless potential to power an increasingly technological society. Since the 1950s, NASA has harnessed the energy of the Sun to power spacecraft and drive scientific discovery across our solar system. Today, NASA continues to advance solar panel technology and test new innovations. Video credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Lacey Young

A Brief History of Solar Power

Even before the light bulb, scientists had inklings of the power locked up in a ray of sunlight.

In 1839, French scientist Alexandre Edmond Becquerel (who was 19 at the time) was working in his father’s laboratory, experimenting with two metal sheets placed in an electricity-conducting liquid. As he shined light on the device, he detected a weak electric current — what we now know to be a flow of electrons through the material. This phenomenon was the first demonstration that light could generate electricity, known today as the photovoltaic effect.

In 1872, scientists discovered the first solid material — selenium — that could pass an electrical current.

By 1884 selenium had been incorporated in the world’s first solar array, which was installed on a New York City rooftop. Scientists continued to develop and experiment with selenium and other photovoltaic materials for the next 70 years, but practical applications were limited by their low efficiency – only about 1% of light energy could be converted to electricity.

A breakthrough came in 1954.

That's when scientists at Bell Labs used an abundant material called silicon to create the first solar cell that achieved 6% efficiency. Solar panels today use this same basic design, with adjustments that have allowed industrial and commercial solar panels to achieve between 15% and 23% efficiency.

How Solar Panels Work

Silicon is an abundant material used in many technological applications because it is a very good “semiconductor,” or material whose ability to carry electric current can be easily manipulated by adding energy. In typical solar cells, silicon is layered in three thin sheets. A middle layer is made of pure silicon. The outer two silicon layers are injected with other elements (typically phosphorous on one side, and boron on the other) that differ in their capacity to “donate” or “accept” electrons. As light strikes the pure silicon layer, it energizes the silicon’s electrons, which then begin to move within the material. Those electrons are attracted to the silicon layer designed to “accept” electrons, leading to a buildup of negative and positive charges in the outer layers. These two sides are then connected with wires to form a circuit that facilitates the flow of electrons from one side to the other, generating usable power.

Silicon-based solar cells power many of NASA’s spacecraft, including the James Webb Space Telescope. Learn more about why this abundant material is used in solar panels in this excerpt from NASA’s Elements of Webb video series.

Solar Power in Space

A mere four years after the first viable solar cells were created, they made their way to space.

The Soviet Union kicked off the space race with the launch of Sputnik on Oct. 4, 1957, quickly followed by the United States’ Explorer 1 on Jan. 31, 1958. But as both satellites ran exclusively on battery power, they were dead within a few weeks. In March 1958, the United States launched the first solar-powered spacecraft, Vanguard 1 (pictured at right), which transmitted data for the next six years.

Solar cells became the de facto way to power spacecraft, and remain so today.

Some missions, such as NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, require specialized solar panels that can operate in extreme environments. Flying on an elliptical orbit into the Sun’s hot outer atmosphere, Parker Solar Probe uses solar panels angled away and partially shaded from the Sun. It also uses a special cooling system to ensure the system isn’t overwhelmed by heat and was designed to be extra robust to deal with the intense ultraviolet rays it receives when close to the Sun, which can degrade materials rapidly. The spacecraft’s elliptical orbit also takes it far from the Sun, even beyond Venus. Engineers designed the solar array to compensate for how the light changes at different distances to the Sun, which alters the color and intensity of the sunlight it receives.

But sunlight drops dramatically with distance.

At Jupiter, which receives 25 times less light than Earth, the Juno spacecraft (pictured at right) needs three 30-foot-long panels to generate 500 watts of energy — about how much a typical refrigerator uses. Its orbit around Jupiter also helps keep the solar panels almost constantly exposed to sunlight to maximize power generation. Solar power becomes less viable for missions that venture even farther, where there’s not even enough light to charge a battery. Deep space missions like NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 rely instead on energy from the radioactive decay of plutonium-238 to keep them running well into interstellar space.

How NASA is Improving Solar Power

Perovskites for improved efficiency.

NASA scientists and other researchers around the world are working to improve the efficiency and durability of solar panels. In addition to using silicon, scientists have discovered that adding a layer of minerals known as perovskites can dramatically improve panel efficiency. Perovskites help capture bluer visible wavelengths, complimenting silicon’s redder wavelength coverage and allowing a solar cell to capture more light. In 2023, several independent research teams created small perovskite-silicon solar cells that exceeded 30% efficiency, and the best experimental cells today are approaching 50% efficiency.

ROSAs for Flexibility

NASA is also developing technology for flexible and rollable solar panels that can improve their use in constrained spaces. Using different materials for the base layer of a solar panel can make a panel lighter and more flexible — essential attributes for space missions that need to be packed into a small space in a rocket. The first two sets of solar arrays used by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in the 1990s and 2000s were designed with solar cells mounted to a flexible blanket-like material so they could be rolled up and stowed to fit inside the space shuttle cargo bay for launch. In 2009, NASA and its partners started working on the next iteration of flexible solar panels called roll-out solar arrays (ROSAs). These arrays, which unfurl like a roll of paper towels, are even lighter and more affordable than previous arrays. They have been used on NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, on commercial geostationary satellites, and on the International Space Station to augment its traditional solar array. NASA plans to include ROSAs on Gateway, an orbiting outpost crucial to NASA’s Artemis campaign.

Vertical Arrays for Lunar Applications

NASA is also involved with envisioning the next generation of solar power usage in space. To advance the Artemis campaign, NASA tasked three companies with developing and building prototypes of vertical deployable solar array systems to power human and robotic exploration of the Moon. Most space solar array structures are designed to be used horizontally, but on the Moon, vertically oriented structures atop tall masts will be needed to maximize sunlight collection at the lunar poles, where the Sun stays close to the horizon. Scientists are also investigating the feasibility of space-based solar power, which would collect sunlight from space and beam the energy back to Earth, potentially serving remote locations across the planet to supplement power transmission infrastructure on the ground.

The Future of Solar Power in Space

Sailing with the sun.

Along with working to improve the efficiency of solar panels, NASA is also looking beyond photovoltaics to an old technology: sails. Humans have crossed open waters by sail for thousands of years. And now, NASA is working on a system to traverse space using solar sails. Unlike photovoltaics, which work by capturing the energy of light, solar sails use the pressure of light. When a photon, or individual particle of light, bounces off a reflective solar sail, it imparts a small push. With enough photons, these tiny nudges can move an entire spacecraft, much like how traditional sails harness the multitude of tiny air molecules that make up the wind. In the future, solar sails could replace heavy propulsion systems and enable longer-duration and lower-cost missions.

The Advanced Composite Solar Sail System

In 2024, the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System, a microwave-sized spacecraft, launched to test a new composite boom — a sail’s framework — made from materials that are stiffer and lighter than previous boom designs. The spacecraft has a solar sail measuring about 860 square feet — about the size of six parking spots. The seven-meter-long boom that holds out the solar sail can collapse into a bundle that would fit in your hand, which allowed it to fit compactly inside the spacecraft. The mission demonstrated the boom’s deployment and is now testing the sail’s performance using a series of maneuvers to adjust the spacecraft orbit using the sail angle. The technology could eventually allow for future sails up to half the size of a soccer field, enabling travel to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Explore NASA's Sun-related stories and download high-resolution images of the solar system, agency missions, and more.

Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3)

Just as a sailboat is powered by wind in a sail, solar sails employ the pressure of sunlight for propulsion, eliminating the need for conventional rocket propellant.

Oct. 2 Annular Solar Eclipse

On Oct. 2, 2024, the Moon will pass in front of the Sun, casting its shadow across parts of Earth. 

Our closest star is so much more than meets the eye.

Related Terms

• Heliophysics
• Heliophysics Division

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How AI’s data-crunching-power can help demystify the cosmos

By Briley Lewis

Posted on Sep 27, 2024 9:03 AM EDT

We hear about artificial intelligence all the time nowadays—but what is it doing for astronomy? A lot! 

New research papers are published almost every week using AI for some new investigation in astronomy: classifying galaxies, identifying solar flares, exploring exoplanet atmospheres, and more. AI’s biggest strength is that it can sort through mountains of data much faster than a human—a skill that’s particularly timely as new telescopes are generating more and more data for astronomers to handle.

“We can use [AI] to tackle problems we couldn’t tackle before because they’re too computationally expensive,” said Daniela Huppenkothen, astronomer and data scientist at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research, in MIT Technology Review .

One telescope in particular has many astronomers abuzz about AI: the Vera C. Rubin Observatory , scheduled to be completed in January 2025 , just a few short months away. Once open, it’ll image the entire night sky every few days for ten whole years in a program known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) , generating sixty petabytes of data in that time. 

“The massive amount of data that will be gathered in the coming years by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and other large-scale astronomical projects is simply too vast and rich to be fully explored with existing methods,” said NSF director Sethuraman Panchanathan in a University of Chicago press release . “With reliable and trustworthy AI in their toolbox, everyone from students to senior researchers will have exciting new ways to gain valuable insights leading to amazing discoveries that might otherwise remain hidden in the data.” 

Astronomers often use a specific version of AI known as machine learning . Although AI tools can seem intelligent (and they’re literally described as learning!), they’re really just algorithms built to recognize patterns and improve their results as they encounter more data. For LSST, one way these algorithms will help out is by classifying galaxies based on their shapes . 

Traditionally, this task is done by humans visually inspecting each and every image—but human eyes are limited in their capabilities, and we also only have so many waking hours to work and few scientists to get it all done. Not only is machine learning faster, but these algorithms can pinpoint smaller features than humans can, like faint wisps at the edges of a galaxy, and notice fainter galaxies. Other astronomers hope to use AI and LSST to measure the distance to galaxies more accurately than ever before , hopefully shedding light on the major mystery of dark matter.

There’s another observatory that’s going to produce even more data than LSST: the Square Kilometer Array Observatory , an arrangement of radio dishes and antennae spread across Australia and South Africa. This technological feat combines the observations of over 100,000 separate detectors, producing a whopping 300 petabytes a year —almost four times more than LSST will create in a decade! Astronomers plan to use AI to scour this dataset for more information on the earliest stars in the universe.

AI has already contributed to some major discoveries, too. The famous first ever image of a black hole from the Event Horizon Telescope got a touch up thanks to a machine learning algorithm, making the image even clearer. Finding smaller, more Earth-like exoplanets is a notorious challenge, and astronomers used machine learning to separate the signal of a planet from the signal of its star that gets in the way. And astronomers have already been using machine learning for years to categorize exploding stars known as supernovae .

“Machine learning is completely changing my field,” said Penn State astronomer Joel Leja . “It blows my mind every time I think about it, and it lets us ask new science questions.”

4 innovative Indigenous-led clean energy projects

Also: garden and microforest celebrate indigenous culture, capture carbon.

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The Big Picture: 4,000 dead birds and what to do about them

• Garden and microforest celebrate Indigenous culture, capture carbon

Clean energy projects are booming in Indigenous communities, with big gains in the number of solar, bioenergy, wind, hydro and battery storage projects.

Roughly 200 major projects are in operation, along with 2,000 more smaller-scale projects, according to a recent report from Indigenous Clean Energy .

Many Indigenous communities have turned to renewable energy projects to replace diesel as their main energy source, especially in remote areas in the North, the report said. 

"In our experience, when communities are at the heart of energy work, energy projects are much more impactful and sustainable," said Freddie Campbell, director of energy and climate at Indigenous Clean Energy, a network that helps First Nations, Inuit, and Métis start new clean energy projects.

Campbell said the shift toward renewable energy began two decades ago and has ramped up in recent years. 

Since 2017, the number of medium and large Indigenous-led clean energy projects has jumped by 30 per cent. 

"It takes a lot of hard work," Campbell said in an interview. "The barriers to do a community-led clean energy project — an Indigenous-led clean energy project — are massive."

Here are a few recent examples, ahead of National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30.

Solar to power a community

Last April, Anahim Lake, a small community in central British Columbia, announced plans for a solar farm spanning 12 hectares at the site of an old saw mill. 

The 1,500 residents of Anahim Lake, home of the Ulkatcho First Nation, and surrounding small communities rely entirely on costly diesel for power. The project is expected to reduce the use of diesel by more than 60 per cent.  

"We believe that solar energy will be the source of our ability, for a lot of our families, to live off the grid,"  Chief Lynda Price said. 

"We're really excited that this is the first stage of our solar power, and I believe our future generations will benefit." Electricity from wood chips

For years, a sawmill in northwestern Saskatchewan had simply burned its wood waste — including bark, wood chips, and sawdust.

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council, which is made up of nine First Nations in northwestern Saskatchewan, owns the sawmill. 

It now uses the leftover wood from trees cut down for lumber to power 5,000 homes, thanks to a new bioenergy plant . The plant also breaks down harmful pollutants into ash that's sold to farmers.

"It's something new, something that I'm excited about because it's new technology and good for the environment," said Paul Opikokew, who works at the facility and is a member of Canoe Lake Cree Nation.

Wind farm leads to economic windfall

Neqotkuk First Nation is behind a wind farm in New Brunswick that is helping generate power for nearby Saint John, and revenue for the community. 

The wind farm consists of 10 turbines, each standing more than 200 metres tall, on unceded territory outside the city. 

The community expects to reap a $100-million windfall over the next 25 years. Neqotkuk Chief Ross Perley said the money has helped fund recreational programs and services for youth and elders.

Battery storage

An electricity battery storage facility, billed as the largest in Canada, is being built on Indigenous land in southwestern Ontario. 

The facility is expected to be able to store  250 megawatts of electricity, which would more than double province's capacity. 

Six Nations of the Grand River and the federal government are among the investors. Construction of the project has put $50 million into the community , and generated jobs for workers from Six Nations of the Grand River.

The project will draw and store electricity from the grid when power demand is low and return it when demand increases. 

— Ben Shingler

Old issues of What on Earth? are here . The CBC News climate page is here . 

Check out our podcast and radio show.   In our newest episode : As an orphaned child in Ireland, Diana Beresford-Kroeger was educated in Druid philosophy that taught her to respect trees. Now, at age 80, she's weaving those learnings with her decades of scientific study into a new book, Our Green Heart . Then, we hear from a climate champion nominated by a listener who took up Diana's challenge to connect kids to nature.

What On Earth drops new podcast episodes every Wednesday and Saturday. You can find them on your favourite podcast app, or on demand at CBC Listen . The radio show airs Sundays at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Reader feedback

A recent CBC story on greener toilet paper brands linked to a previous issue of What On Earth about a sustainable alternative — bidets . That inspired Judy Christenson to write in.

"My husband and I have both had our own 'bidet bottle' for a couple of years now. We got ours on Amazon since when I tried to find one locally in our small town, no one sold them. It has saved an enormous amount of TP! I'd say we use no more than one roll a month and that's mainly for company. You only need a small spray from the bottle (so less water used, I think, than with the built-in bidet) and then dry off with a small flannel cloth. I got those from Etsy… you can even get some that come in TP sized rolls. A wet bag, like for swimsuits, [hangs] on a hook on the bathroom door for putting the used ones. The bidet bottle I use has a collapsing nozzle so it's easy to take in your suitcase when travelling too! More economical than built in bidets for sure."

Write us at [email protected] . 

Have a compelling personal story about climate change you want to share with CBC News? Pitch a First Person column here .

The winner of this year's Bird Photographer of the Year Award shows 4,000 birds, all of which died after colliding with buildings in Toronto last year. The image, called When Worlds Collide , was taken by Patricia Homonylo. The birds were collected and arranged by members of the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), a Canadian charity where Homonylo volunteers. Here's more on the award-winning photo , and a longer feature on how Canadian communities are working to prevent birds from flying into windows .

Hot and bothered: Provocative ideas from around the web

Solar energy is often seen as a clean way to generate electricity. But it can also be used to heat water directly. This is how 93.5 per cent of homes in Cyprus get their domestic hot water. The Guardian takes a look at how that happened .

The Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, site of the U.S.'s worst nuclear accident, has been shuttered since 2019 and is slated for decommissioning. Now Microsoft has teamed up with utility Constellation Energy to get it restarted to supply low-carbon energy for its AI data centres .

After installing solar panels, some Canadians have been told by their insurance company that their home will no longer be covered. Here's a closer look at where the insurance industry stands on residential solar, and what homeowners can do.

California is suing Exxon Mobil, alleging the company "has been deceiving the public to convince us that plastic recycling could solve the plastic waste and pollution crisis when they clearly knew this wasn't possible."

Want to fight climate change and not sure where to start? This week, Heatmap offers a report with detailed advice on how to decarbonize your life , starting with your car and your home.

Garden and microforest celebrate Indigenous cultures, capture carbon

A school in Montreal's West Island has inaugurated a green space dedicated to environmental restoration and the celebration of Indigenous culture. 

John Abbott College, an English-language post-secondary program, or CEGEP, located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que., is calling the space Kahnikonri:io - Good Mind Garden and Microforest.

The space blends Indigenous knowledge and ecological sustainability, and is aimed at fostering sustainability, community and education through nature.

This microforest on a CEGEP campus celebrates Indigenous cultures

The space will also have tobacco burning ceremonies every Monday. The school's dean of Indigenous education said it's a step toward reconciliation.

"It means a lot. Some of my own personal tobacco plants are planted here in the garden," said Kim Tekakwitha Martin.

Thinking back to the 80s, she remembers attending John Abbott College and visiting on a tour for the first time. 

"If I would have came here back then and the bus pulled up and I saw this, I would have immediately felt like, wow, this is going to be awesome," she said. "Like I'm home or there's something here I can relate to."

Chris Lévesque, who teaches biology at the college, came up with the idea of building a microforest which, he said, is a small forest that is constructed very densely . 

Chris Lévesque, who teaches biology at John Abbott College, says the small forest is constructed very densely, and despite the fence surrounding it, animals have already been visiting. (Rowan Kennedy/CBC)

"We have 600 trees here in a fairly small area," he said. "They're removing greenhouse gases really fast, at a very high rate. Then they attract insects and birds and other animals. So we're really increasing biodiversity on campus by having this microforest here."

The area will be protected by a fence for the first two years, but once it is removed, it will look even better, he said. Already, a lot of insects and small animals have been visiting despite the fence, he noted.

He said next year, the school will begin measuring the amount of greenhouse gases being removed from the air by the microforest. 

In four to five years, the forest will be growing and flourishing, said Tekakwitha Martin. And another five years after that, the small, tree-dense patch of campus will clearly be a forest, said Lévesque.

In the next eight to nine decades, he added, the trees will remove several tonnes of greenhouse gases.

On its website, the college says it is on unceded Indigenous lands of the traditional territory of both the Kanien'kehá:ka and the Anishinabeg peoples.

"Together, as a diverse college community, we commit to building a sincere relationship with Indigenous peoples based on respect, dignity, trust and cooperation, in the process of advancing truth and reconciliation," it says.

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Editors: Emily Chung and Hannah Hoag | Logo design: Sködt McNalty

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Solar Sails and Comet Tails: How Sunlight Pushes Stuff Around

During the Age of Sail, ships circled the globe on voyages of discovery and trade. That era ended in the 1800s, when coal-fired steam engines began to replace wind power. Now we may be entering a new age of sail—but this time in space. Reversing history, engines and fuel could be replaced by sails on some spacecraft, pushed not by wind but by sunlight.

The idea is still in development, but we know it works. Just a few weeks ago, NASA hoisted sail on a new test craft, a satellite called the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System ( ACS3 ). It has a square sail 9 meters wide that allows it to adjust its orbital path.

Now, to really go somewhere, you'd need a much bigger sail, and a NASA effort to build one spanning 1,650 square meters was abandoned in 2022 as infeasible, given the budget. But that's an implementation issue, which I'm sure smart humans can solve.

To be clear, this isn't like putting photovoltaic panels on your roof to generate electricity. Lots of spacecraft and planetary rovers use those already. These are actually shiny, ultralight sails that are pushed by solar radiation. Well, you might ask: How the heck can light move a physical object?

Comet Tails

Good question! After all, when someone says they were “floored” by the beauty of a sunrise, we don't imagine that they were actually struck down. But light bouncing off a surface really does exert a physical force, small though it may be.

One example is the tail on a comet. You might think it's like a contrail thrown off as a comet hurtles through space. Nope. See, comets are basically big dirty snowballs. When one nears the sun, some of that ice turns to gas, releasing clouds of dust. The sun's light then pushes that dust away in a stream that can stretch for millions of miles—sideways to the comet's path!

Speaking of which, there's a comet approaching right now that may put on a spectacular show in October. It's called Tsuchinshan–ATLAS , and its tail might even be visible to the naked eye.

Electromagnetic Waves

Now, light travels in waves, which are a sort of “moving displacement.” Look at an ocean wave: The water only moves up and down, but that vertical displacement travels horizontally across the surface. It can sure as heck knock you over if you wade into the water.

But light waves are different from ocean waves or sound waves. Take away the water in the sea and you have no waves to surf on. The same is true for sound: There's no wave if there's no atmosphere for it to “wave” in. That's why space is so weirdly silent.

Light, on the other hand, can travel through empty space. That's because, in a sense, a light wave is its own medium. The reason is that it's actually made up of two waves—there's an electric field wave and a magnetic field wave. That's why we call it electromagnetic radiation.

This includes the radio waves beamed from cell towers, which have a wavelength of a meter to hundreds of meters. At very short wavelengths (400 to 700 nanometers), electromagnetic (EM) waves can interact with your eyes. We call that visible light. Go even shorter and you get X-rays.

But here's the key thing: The electric and magnetic components are perpendicular to each other, and both are perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling in. Here's an animation I made of an EM wave moving along: The yellow arrows are the electric field, and the magenta arrows are the magnetic field. Cool, right?

Electric Charges in an Electric Field

Now let's see how that EM wave interacts with matter. We'll start by looking at what happens to an electrically charged particle like a proton (positive) or an electron (negative) in an electric field. Suppose there's a region in space with a constant electric field ( E ) in the upward direction:

Say the proton has a charge of +q coulombs; then the electric field exerts a force of q x E in the direction of the field, causing it to accelerate upward. For the negative electron, the force is in the opposite direction, downward.

Moving Charges in a Magnetic Field

But that's only half the story. The magnetic field also interacts with charged particles—but weirdly, only if they're moving. And here's the even weirder part: The direction of this magnetic force, shown by the F arrow below, is perpendicular to the direction of the particle's velocity ( qv ) and the direction of the magnetic field ( B ). Here's what that looks like:

If you had a negative charged particle moving in the opposite direction, it would experience a magnetic force in the same direction as the positive charge. How can I put it? Opposite charge and opposite direction—it's sort of double reversed.

Just for fun, here's a demonstration of electric and magnetic forces using a Tesla coil and a Crooke's tube. The Tesla coil, off to the left, produces an extremely strong electric field—you can see the spark from it. This causes electrons inside the tube to accelerate from left to right. The bright line shows the path of this stream.

Now I'm going to bring the north pole of a magnet near the electron beam. You can see that the beam bends upward (which is perpendicular to both the magnetic field and the velocity of the electrons). This shows the electrons being deflected and pushed by the magnetic field.

Electromagnetic Waves and Matter

OK, let's put it all together. Suppose we have an EM wave moving to the right at an instant when the electric field is pointing up . If this field encounters a positively charged proton, that proton will start moving up.

But now that the proton is moving up and the magnetic field is pointing out of the page, this will exert a force in—wait for it—the same direction the EM wave is traveling, to the right. It's no longer moving up; instead, it's being pushed forward.

Same thing if you replace the proton with a negatively charged electron: It will start to move downward because of the electric field. But since it's a moving charge, the magnetic force will kick in and the particle will again be pushed in the direction of the wave.

Why do we care about these tiny subatomic particles? Because all matter is made up of protons and electrons (along with nonpartisan neutrons). Boom! We just showed that light can push physical objects. And the whole reason is that light has both electric and magnetic fields.

Estimating the Force of Light

So how much power can we get from this? The strength of the electric and magnetic fields in an EM wave are not independent of each other; if you know E , you can find B . And the stronger the fields, the stronger the interaction with matter.

One way to describe the combined effect is with the Poynting vector ( S ), which … points in the wave's direction of travel. (True fact: It is named after John Henry Poynting .) With this, we can calculate the radiation pressure ( P ), which is the force per unit area for light hitting some surface.

Here c is the speed of light (about 3 x 10 8 meters per second), and S is the average magnitude of the Poynting vector. Assuming a sunlight Poynting vector with a value of 1,350 watts per square meter, this would give us a radiation pressure of 4.5 x 10 –6 newtons per square meter.

If we use this radiation pressure with NASA's ACS3 solar sail (an area of 81 square meters), we get a solar force of 3.6 x 10 –4 newtons. Yes, that's tiny. It's roughly equivalent to the gravitational force of a single grain of a salt in your hand. But hey, it's free power available in unlimited supply!

And think about what happens over time: As long as the sun shines, that force continues to be applied, so the craft will continually accelerate. With no resistance in the vacuum of space, it could actually reach very high speeds over long distances.

Best of all, you eliminate the need for fuel. Rocket engines produce thrust by using chemical reactions to shoot stuff out of the back. But to eject mass, you have to carry mass with you, and you can only carry so much. That's why solar sails should enable us to go much farther out into space.

But for now we still have the comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS coming in October. Hopefully the tiny solar force on pieces of dust will push for a long enough time to create a big, beautiful tail. I think it's going to be great.

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Electrical Engineering and Systems Science > Systems and Control

Title: transformer based time series prediction of the maximum power point for solar photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: This paper proposes an improved deep learning based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in solar photovoltaic cells considering various time series based environmental inputs. Generally, artificial neural network based MPPT algorithms use basic neural network architectures and inputs which do not represent the ambient conditions in a comprehensive manner. In this article, the ambient conditions of a location are represented through a comprehensive set of environmental features. Furthermore, the inclusion of time based features in the input data is considered to model cyclic patterns temporally within the atmospheric conditions leading to robust modeling of the MPPT algorithm. A transformer based deep learning architecture is trained as a time series prediction model using multidimensional time series input features. The model is trained on a dataset containing typical meteorological year data points of ambient weather conditions from 50 locations. The attention mechanism in the transformer modules allows the model to learn temporal patterns in the data efficiently. The proposed model achieves a 0.47% mean average percentage error of prediction on non zero operating voltage points in a test dataset consisting of data collected over a period of 200 consecutive hours resulting in the average power efficiency of 99.54% and peak power efficiency of 99.98%. The proposed model is validated through real time simulations. The proposed model performs power point tracking in a robust, dynamic, and nonlatent manner, over a wide range of atmospheric conditions.

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