Lab one:
PPA (purchase power agreement) array
1. go to elab2.hpa.edu and determine the power delivered by the array on the 4 dates: summer solstice, winter solstice, vernal equinox, autumnal equinox.
- find the solar radiation peak for each of these days, and for several days around that date for an accurate non-cloudy solar radiation number, which should be in Watts per square meter.
- go out and measure one panel in the array, then count all of the panels. calculate the total area in m2 for the array
- calculate the efficiency of the array in the 4 dates chosen
- what do you observe?
- if HELCO would charge us $0.40 per kWh how much would this much energy cost HPA?
- our arrangement with the PPA folks is that we pay half of the HELCO price. How much did we save each day, each month, and each year?
calculation notes:
a. the solar radiation should be around 800 W/m2 in the winter and 1500 W/m2 in the summer. This will vary on cloudy days
b. the efficiency of the panels should be around 12%
Lab two: solar thermal
- using the hot water panel downstairs and the infrared camera, calculate the input and output temperature for the solar panel in degrees C and F.
- using the met sensors on elab2.hpa.edu, determine the solar radiation now, here at the elab
- calculate the area for the panel
- using a beaker, time how long it takes to fill the beaker, along with the in and out temperatures.
- it takes 1000 cal to heat 1000 ml of water by one degree C. Calculate how many calories you gathered in the beaker.
- Divide to get calories per second.
- multiply by 4.18 to get joules per second
- how many Watts did the solar panel collect?
- compare this with the solar radiation falling on the panel. How efficient is the panel?
calculation notes:
a. make sure you convert the panel temps into °C first
b. you may see some variation in the volume of the container, usually around 1000 ml
c. you can use the computer calculator to convert some units
Lab three: PV panel power
- measure the current (amperes) and voltage of the PV panel as it charges one of the golf cart batteries
- multiply V times current to get Watts
- measure the size of the panel in m2
- use the solar radiation data from the elab2.hpa.edu server to determine panel efficiency
- how does this compare with the rated power on the back of the panel?
- what happens to the voltage and current when you tilt the panel?
Notes:
a. the panel should read 100 Watts output, but will probably be lower. Think of reasons this might be.
b. efficiency will be around 12% on this as well
Lab four: Dorm hot water
- on elab2.hpa.edu you will see data on Anna’s washroom.
- look at the amount numbers, when are folks taking showers or doing laundry?
- two temperature numbers are available: cold water up, and hot water down. These are only accurate when there is water flow (see #2 above). Find the coolest cold water up temp and the hottest hot water down temp. Multiply this by the change in gallons per day from 2 and 3 above. 1 gallon is about 4 liters. Using these data, calculate the number of calories and joules collected each day.
- use your computer calculator to convert joules into kWh.
- If we were paying for this hot water with electricity, how much would we be saving each day? Each month? Each year?
- since we use propane instead, calculate the amount saved in propane (you’ll have to look up how many kWh you can get for $ of propane)
notes:
a. make sure you use the degrees in °C first. If you have already done this, the factor between the two is 1.8 F for every C
Comments