Technology
This week in technology I started by demonstrating to the students how to use a multimeter (digital and analog). I provided the student with different size batteries and asked them to find the appropriate scale to determine if the batteries were good. Once they felt comfortable with using the multimeter, I provided them with several small solar cells and multimeters so they could get the voltage readings from the cell in different locations throughout the building and outside. This information was gathered to create a database and make a chart on Excel, in addition to being used to compare the readings from the larger photovoltaic cells that we will install later.
During the instructional portions of the class, the students were told that a solar cell is like a one-way street (diode) and that the electrons can only move in one direction. We also, discuss the construction of the solar cell, quartz sand (silicon) which has been altered by adding other chemical elements (boron or phosphorus). This would create two layers in the silicon with different electrical characteristics. When light hits the silicon is causes electricity to be produced.
I asked the class to research solar panels and pay close attention to how they are rated. They found out that the capacity ratings for solar panel was in watts and that solar panels can only convert one fifth of the incoming solar energy into electrical energy.
