Diary Entry - January

This month saw the students undertake additional investigations into the use of solar panels at ground level. The focus has been to resolve discrepancies in original calculations for the optimum angle of a solar panel and establishing the advantages and disadvantages of using panels on the ground as opposed to a roof. The recent snow has provided additional inspiration for experimentation, with the students testing whether solar glare from the snow would increase the output of the panels due to a greater intensity of light. Results showed that the reflected sunlight from the snow did increase the output of the solar panels and consideration was also given to the effect this phenomenon may have on the optimum angle of the panels.

The idea of snow glare improving output capacity led to the students investigating whether mirrored architecture in gardens could reflect light on to panels located on the ground. One student even suggested that a revolving solar powered sculpture made from mirrored glass could be designed with a variety of angled surfaces to maximise the sunlight over the duration of a day. The students are now thinking about how such designs could be implemented in an aesthetically pleasing and cost effective way, such that the principle could be used all year round.

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