Materials List: A New Angle on Photovoltaic Solar Panel Efficiency

Each group needs:

  • mini PV panel ($10-30; available online; do a product search for "small solar panel" or see the Solar Panel Source Information attachment in the Photovoltaic Efficiency unit)
  • multimeter ($10; available online; see the Solar Multimeter Source Information attachment in the Photovoltaic Efficiency unit)
  • 2 wires with alligator clamps
  • sunlight or 100-watt incandescent lamp ($8 from hardware store)
  • 2 pieces of cardboard, each about the same size as the panel
  • protractor (or use attached Protractor Printout; print and cut out; two per sheet)
  • ruler or string (to help make accurate protractor measurements)
  • Student Investigation Guide, one per team
  • Investigation Worksheet, one per student

Note: The non-expendable items (mini PV panels, multimeters, wires with alligator clamps, lamp and light bulb) are reusable for the entire four-lesson unit, as well as other projects.

For the entire class to share:

  • duct tape
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_pveff_lesson01_activity1