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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