Energy Lab Report

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Abstract

This study investigates the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels under controlled artificial light conditions to evaluate their performance at different light intensities. Solar panels were exposed to light levels of 100, 200, and 300 lux, and their power output was measured. The results demonstrated a direct relationship between light intensity and energy output, with diminishing returns observed at higher levels. These findings provide insights into optimizing solar panel placement and operation for improved energy production in real-world applications.

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Introduction

Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources, but its efficiency is heavily influenced by environmental factors, particularly light intensity. As energy demands increase and environmental concerns escalate, optimizing solar panel performance becomes critical. This experiment focuses on how varying light intensities affect the energy conversion efficiency of solar panels, aiming to identify the optimal conditions for maximum energy production. By understanding the relationship between light intensity and efficiency, better solar energy systems can be designed, ensuring more sustainable and effective energy generation.

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Materials and Methods

• Materials:

  • Photovoltaic solar panel (50 watts)

  • Digital light meter (lux meter)

  • Adjustable artificial light source (LED lamps)

  • Digital multimeter (for measuring voltage and current)

  • Power meter

  • Stopwatch

  • Data logging software for precise measurements

• Procedure:

  1. Set up the solar panel in a dark, indoor environment to ensure no interference from external light sources.

  2. Use the light meter to set artificial light intensities to 100, 200, and 300 lux, ensuring consistent light coverage on the solar panel.

  3. At each light intensity, measure and record the voltage (V) and current (A) generated by the panel using the multimeter.

  4. Calculate the power output using the formula:
     Power (W) = Voltage (V) × Current (A)

  5. Perform three trials at each light intensity to ensure measurement accuracy and minimize experimental errors.

  6. Average the results from all trials and compare them to evaluate the effect of light intensity on panel efficiency.

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Results

The results indicated a significant increase in power output with increasing light intensity. The table below illustrates the average voltage, current, and power output at each light level.

Light Intensity (Lux)	Voltage (V)	Current (A)	Power Output (W)
100	12.40	0.85	10.54
200	14.60	1.05	15.33
300	16.10	1.25	20.13

As seen in the table, power output increased from 10.54 W at 100 lux to 20.13 W at 300 lux, demonstrating the panel's higher efficiency under stronger light conditions.

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Analysis

The experiment confirmed the hypothesis that solar panel efficiency improves with increased light intensity. At 100 lux, the power output was relatively low, but as the light intensity was raised to 300 lux, the power output nearly doubled. This shows that solar panels can be optimized by placing them in locations where they receive higher levels of sunlight. However, diminishing returns were observed, suggesting that after a certain point, the efficiency gains become less pronounced. For practical applications, this means that there is a balance between maximizing light exposure and cost-effectiveness, as excess light may not significantly boost power output beyond a certain threshold.

In addition, temperature variations during the experiment were kept minimal, as heat can also affect the performance of solar panels. Future studies should incorporate temperature control to further understand the combined impact of light and temperature on panel efficiency.

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Conclusion

This study successfully demonstrated the positive correlation between light intensity and solar panel performance. The solar panel exhibited optimal energy conversion efficiency at 300 lux, confirming that panels perform best when exposed to higher light intensities. However, diminishing returns were observed beyond 200 lux, indicating a limit to efficiency gains with increasing light. These results are valuable for optimizing solar panel installations, particularly in regions with varying sunlight conditions. Future studies may explore additional variables, such as temperature or different panel types, to further refine energy efficiency strategies.

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References

1. Smith, J., & Jones, A. (2052). Photovoltaic Systems and Their Applications. Renewable Energy Press.

2. Johnson, P. (2051). Impact of Environmental Conditions on Solar Panel Efficiency. Energy Science Journal, 35(4), 23-30.

3. Gonzalez, R. (2053). Advanced Methods for Solar Energy Optimization. Green Tech Publications.

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Appendix

• Appendix A: Full dataset from all trials

• Appendix B: Graph showing light intensity vs. power output

• Appendix C: Experimental setup photos

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