Problem that we had to solve
How can we provide electricity to community outdoor spaces in an energy efficient way that still maintains the safety and “fun”aesthetic of the space.
Research on Solar energy
The three main technologies are collectors/solar panels, reflectors, and solar cells. Solar energy is when a solar panel/solar collector takes the heat from the sun, then it’s made into energy. Solar collectors/solar panels are devices that absorb heat from the sun. A window that lets heat energy from the sun enter homes is called a passive solar collector/solar panels because there are no moving parts. Some other types of solar collectors/solar panels contain water in tubes that are heated by the sun. Solar collectors/solar panels like these are usually located on the roof of a building. The hot water in the tubes is then pumped to other parts of the building. These are called active solar collectors/solar panels because the heated water is moved by using pumps. Solar reflectors focus the sun’s heat energy on one spot by using mirrors or lenses. That spot then becomes so hot that if water is placed there it changes to steam. Large solar reflectors can make enough steam to use in a generator to produce electricity, small solar reflectors can also be used to cook food. Solar cells are another main technology that we developed to make energy. Solar cells transform light energy into electrical energy. Any light energy will work with a solar cell, it doesn’t have to be the sun’s light. But solar cells are too expensive to use where large amounts of electricity are needed. They are mainly used in places far from power lines and on space satellites.
Our ideas
For solar energy we’re making an outdoor skating/hockey rink with lights powered by solar panels. We have two nets out of paper, lights powered from solar panels(It will work). To hold the lights up we used craft sticks.For the wind energy we’re making a drawing of how wind energy works. The wind energy could be used to power a carousel, ferris wheel, and roller coaster in another outdoor space.
By Readergirl and Zacheryp1