Integrating Solar Power

Basic Stamp Microprocessor
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Intended Grade Level(s):
9-12
Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electronics,
Solar Photovoltaic
Learning Goal(s):

Students will create voltage regulator and construct a solar battery charger.

Unit:
Robotic Sunflower
Lesson Number:
5
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-ETS1-1,
HS-ETS1-2,
HS-ETS1-3,
HS-PS3-1,
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Computer Science
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 40 min
Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
9-10.RST.3,
9-10.RST.7,
11-12.RST.9
Files Associated with this Activity:
PDF icon Robotic-sunflower-lesson5-plan.pdf
PDF icon Robotic-sunflower-lesson5-handout1.pdf
PDF icon Robotic-sunflower-lesson5-handout2.pdf
Description:

At this point students should have a working robotic sunflower that will track the sun with 2 degrees of freedom. This next lesson powers the whole system with a photovoltaic module. A Zener diode is used to charge a 6V motorcycle battery which then supplies a voltage regulator which in turn supplies the 5V needed by the microprocessor.

Science Kit Material(s) Used:
Multimeter
Vernier Resistor Board
Other Material(s) Used:
• Attached handouts • Texas Instruments LM2574 0.5 A Step Down Voltage Regulator • 220 micro Henry inductor • 6V lead acid motorcycle battery • Solar panels with 9 to 12 V output • 22 & 220 micro Farad electrolytic capacitors • Breadboard