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 (PDF); print and cut out; two per sheet)
• ruler or string (to help make accurate protractor measurements)
• Student Investigation Guide (PDF), one per team
• Investigation Worksheet (PDF), 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