Post on 26-Dec-2015
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SMK TAMAN MELATI
Contents
Content Pagei Acknowledgementii Introductioniii Abstractiv Objectivev Scientific Theoryvi Problem Statementvii Constructing Solar Boatviii Comparison between Solar Boat 1 and Solar Boat 2ix Selection of Solar Boatx Example of Solar Boatxi Designing and Testing Solar Boatxii Cross-section of Solar Boatxiii Test Resultxiv Final Resultxv Cost of Making the Solar Boat
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Acknowledgement
Syukur Alhamdulillah to Allah, the Al-Mighty for His strength, love and support to us.
First of all, completing this project was not a simple task. Hard work and effort was given
to complete this project. Other than that we were fortunate to have guidance and support from
our teachers because without them we would never complete this project and we would like to
dedicate a special thanks to our teachers especially Pn Rosmaliana bt Mohamad, En Mohd Fairuz
bin Barjumin and En Ahmad Fitri bin Zainol for endless encouragement, support and valuable
time in guiding us throughout the project.
We would also like to thank our family for supporting us and providing financial support
so that our aim in this project can be achieved. Not to forget to our friends for all the support and
ideas.
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Introduction
Energy is defined as the ability to do work. All living things need energy to conduct their
daily activities. Most of our energy comes from non-renewable energy sources. This non-
renewable energy is limited and cannot be replenished and are depleting day by day. So scientists
are trying to find an alternative source of energy to reduce the dependence towards non-
renewable energy. Solar energy is considered a renewable energy source. Renewable sources of
energy are resources that are continually renewed by nature, and hence will never run out. Solar
power is considered renewable because the nuclear fusion reactions that power the sun are
expected to keep generating sunlight for many billions of years to come.
Using sun energy is not a new concept. Researches have been done as early as 1839 to
explore the usage of solar energy to generate electricity. Currently, there is huge amount of
research going into solar power and many new technologies are being discovered. Over the past
few years new flexible and light solar panels have being invented and because of those it will be
much easier to make a solar powered boat.
In this project we want explore the usage of solar panel in boats or solar powered boats
and how to maximize the energy produced by the solar panel. In this project we are also
exploring on how design of the boat can affect the efficiency of the boat on water.
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Abstract
Every day, the sun sends out an enormous amount of energy. It radiates more energy in
one second than the world has used since time began. This radiant energy is also known as solar
energy which is vital to us because it provides the world directly or indirectly with almost all of
its energy. In addition to providing the energy that sustains the world, solar energy is stored in
fossil fuels and biomass, and is responsible for powering the water cycle and producing wind.
Solar energy applies energy from the sun in the form of solar radiation for heat or to generate
electricity. It is an example of renewable energy that can be replenish continually.
Based on Oxford Dictionary, solar panel is defined as a set of solar photovoltaic modules
electrically connected and mounted on a supporting structure. This solar module light energy in
form of photons from the sun to generate electricity and can supply electricity in commercial and
residential applications. Based on an article in
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111207132916.htm Dr. Pearce believes solar
photovoltaic systems are near the "tipping point" where they can produce energy for about the
same price other traditional sources of energy. In other words, solar energy is the best substitute
to conventional energy sources which are not renewable and are depleting every second.
In designing a solar boat, several considerations must be made. Based on Designing and
Building a Solar Powered Model Boat by Samuel Freire, the most important consideration is
size, weight and the power output of the solar panel. This is because when the solar panels are
combined with the power requirements of the motor, the weight of the entire structure of the boat
will affect the ability of the boat to float. So, in this project we decided to use the lightest
material and simple design so that the boat can move faster.
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Objective
This project is conducted:
To create awareness among younger generation about renewable energy that can be
harness for future used.
To inculcate interest among students about science and technology.
To enrich students creativities through project and experiment.
To expose students about the analytical thinking and scientific process.
To apply and adapt a variety of problem-solving strategies to solve problems.
To improve thinking skills.
To promote effective mathematical communication.
To provide learning environment that stimulates and enhance effective learning.
To produce and train students capable of doing word with minimal supervisor and moray
independent in searching, detailing and expending the knowledge and experiences.
The specific objective of this project is to design and analysis the model of the solar boat to be
faster, stable and durable suitable for solar boat racing.
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Scientific Theory
A basic solar boat is constructed using solar panels, DC motor, water resistance and light
material as body structures and several electrical components accessories. In order to construct a
solar boat, there are several basic designs that we need to consider such as boat design and shape,
propulsion, wiring and motor.
Boat Design and Shape
The boat design must be constructed by water resistant materials and able to float while
carrying motor and the solar panel. This ability to float is known as the buoyancy of a boat. In
the 3rd century B.C, Archimedes discovered the law of buoyancy: "an object that is floating or
immersed in a fluid experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid the object
displaces." Furthermore, it will displace a weight of water equal to the weight of the object. So,
more volume and less weight will minimize the density of the boat on water and the buoyancy of
the boat will increase. Second, design must be stable so that is not easily tilt or roll over when
there is wind. The shape must be aerodynamic and smooth so that it can easily move in water
and has less water resistance that might slow the solar boat. The boat must be also light because
based on an article on solar boat, a lighter boat will displace less water than a heavy boat and
reduce water resistance.
Propulsion
In order to make the boat to move forward, we must overcome the force of drag or
resistance from the water and air. The spinning propeller will give the boat enough force to
overcome this drag.
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When the sun's rays activate the solar cell, an electric circuit is completed. The motor spins,
turning the driveshaft and propeller with it. The spinning propeller creates a force that pushes
water backwards. Newton's 3rd law tells us, "to every action there is an equal and opposite
reaction." Therefore, the reaction force created by the propeller pushes your boat forward
through the water.
The propeller shaft must be placed at low angle as possible to maximize the forward
thrust component and minimize the lifting effect. A propeller facing directly down will not push
the boat along but pushs upward. The propeller also must not be too close to the water surface
because it will suck air and reduce thrust.
Wiring
In order to connect the solar panel, secure wiring is needed. All wire connections must
be tight, neat and laid well to avoid any lost connection. The bare wires are also needed to be
insulated to avoid any short circuit.
Solar panels connected in series are found to produce twice output voltage than each cell
alone. Based on Model Solar Boat Guide by Wayne Young, when cells are connected in series
that is the +ve of one cell connected to the –ve of the next forming a “string” of cells, the
voltages add. So two cells connected in series would have an output voltage twice the voltage of
each cell alone. The current (amps) available remains the same as that available from individual
cells. While, cells are connected in parallel that is all cell positives connected together and all
cell negatives connected together the current available adds. So three identical cells connected in
parallel would be able to deliver three times the current that each cell alone could deliver. The
voltage however will remain the same at the voltage available from each cell.
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Motor
DC motor is used in this solar boat. Based on Model Solar Boat Guide by Wayne Young ,
a DC motor is essentially driven by magnetic attraction and repulsion between the permanent
magnets in the motor stator (case) and the rotor which is an electromagnet powered by the solar
panel. The slower a motor is turning (lower RPM) the lower will be its electrical resistance, and
consequently the chance of overloading the solar panel is increased. To overcome this problem
we can reduce the motor load and let it speed up by switching to a smaller propeller or make
more current available by changing the solar panel configuration to series and parallel.
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Problem Statement
i. What is design is best in constructing a solar boat?
ii. How to maximize the solar energy gain from the solar panel?
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Construction Solar BoatThe apparatus and materials used in constructing solar boat:
Solar Boat 1 Solar Boat 2
Apparatus:
Hot glue gunWiring solderWire cutterKnife cutterScissorsRuler
Materials:Polyplast board Cello tapesPropellerGearsMotorSolar panelsWiresBottlesBamboo sticksPlasticine
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Construction Process of Solar Boat
Solar Boat 11)Solar boat 21. 2 water bottles are used as base due to water resistance and light weight.2. 2 holes are made in each bottle and must be aligned as same level. 2 bamboo sticks is
used to connect the two bottles. 3. A polyplast board is measured and cut. Then the cut polyplast board is glued on top of the
bamboo sticks as base for the motor and solar panel used a hot glued gun.4. Propeller is placed in used pen rod and is connected to motor. 5. 12 solar panels are aligned in series and welded together using small wire.6. Both solar panels and motor are placed in polyplast based and glued.7. The complete solar boat model is tested for balancing and weight is placed in front to
balance the solar boat.
Comparison Between Solar Boat 1 and Solar Boat 2
Solar Boat 1 Aspects Solar Boat 2
Size Bigger
Weight Lighter
Aerodynamic Shape
Higher (Bigger propeller) Propulsion Slower (small propeller)
Water resistance
Stability
Speed
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Selection of the Solar BoatBased on scientific theory and tests, there are several consideration should be made
in designing the solar boat models. The design of the solar boat must be stable, light, water
resistant and aerodynamic so that the boat can sail smoothly. In this project we decided to
use two different materials as base as these two materials are light weight. Both are water
resistant and cannot be spoilt easily. Solar boat 1 is designed to be more aerodynamic as
polyplast board used as main based on the solar boat can be easily designed. While the
solar boat 2, we tend to increase the height of the model so that it will increase the
buoyancy of the boat when the solar panel and motor is placed. We found the model solar
boat _________ to be more stable and reliable to move on water.
Secondly, the propulsion of these two models are different because we want to
investigate the effects of adding the propeller at the side of the solar boat in solar boat 1
and adding the propeller at the back in solar boat 2. We found that the effect of adding
_____________ creates a higher propulsion and increase the speed of the solar boat. We had
also tried adding the propeller at the side of the solar boat 2 and the result is insufficient
due to frictional force exist between plastic rod and bottle that slows the rotating propeller.
Lastly, the speed of the boat is measured and the fastest boat is solar boat ________.
This is due to size___________________________________________.
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Cross Section of the Solar Boat
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Test Result
We have made few tests on both of the solar boats at length of track of _____ m and this is the result of the tests:
Solar boat 1:
Tries Time taken, s
Solar Boat 1 Solar Boat 2
1
2
3
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Final Result
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Cost of Making the Solar Boat
Items Cost
Polyplast board
Cello tapes
Gears
Glue
Solar panels
Motor
Total