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== Final | == Description of the Final Project == | ||
The final project is a solar-powered charging system for powering small devices using a USB socket. Energy is collected by a 100 watt solar panel mounted to the roof of the school. | The final project is a solar-powered charging system for powering small devices using a USB socket. Energy is collected by a 100 watt solar panel mounted to the roof of the school. | ||
<br /> | |||
The energy collected by the panel is directed inside the copy room to a charge controller, which regulates the power flow, and then sent to a 12 volt, 40 amp hour battery to be stored for later use. The battery connects to a USB port mounted to a vintage school desk which was purchased from a local community member. This USB outlet is to be used by the students, staff, and community. <br /> | |||
Alongside the outlet, there is a mural, an educational display, and a display solar panel. The mural is an artistic depiction of solar power painted onto the wall of the copy room. The educational display is a brief description of the design and a simple explanation of solar power systems. The display solar panel is identical to the panel on the roof, and functions as a back-up panel as well as an educating device. | |||
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[[File:Solar_display.jpg]] | |||
=== Costs === | === Costs === | ||
Revision as of 06:18, 8 December 2014
Abstract
One paragraph summary of your project from background to discussion and next steps.
Background
Redwood Coast Montessori (RCM) is a public charter school located next to the Manilla Sand Dunes in Arcata, CA. Founded in 2005, the program started out with one classroom on a traditional public school campus in Eureka, CA. In June 2012, the Arcata School District approved Redwood Coast Montessori’s charter application to become a K-8 independent public charter school beginning on July 1, 2013. The Montessori style of teaching acknowledges that children in early childhood need to develop their cognitive abilities through experiences with their senses and different materials. As they grow, Montessori students at an elementary age apply what they have learned to real world experiences.
Objective
The objective for the project is to implement a functional solar powered system that educates the students and staff of Redwood Coast Montessori, as well as the public, of solar power, solar panels, and the importance of solar as a renewable energy.
Criteria
| Criteria | Weight (1-10) |
|---|---|
| Safety | 10 |
| Educational Value | 10 |
| Aesthetics | 8 |
| Theft | 8 |
| Usefulness | 7 |
| Cost | 6 |
| Maintainability | 5 |
| Light Pollution | 3 |
Description of the Final Project
The final project is a solar-powered charging system for powering small devices using a USB socket. Energy is collected by a 100 watt solar panel mounted to the roof of the school.
The energy collected by the panel is directed inside the copy room to a charge controller, which regulates the power flow, and then sent to a 12 volt, 40 amp hour battery to be stored for later use. The battery connects to a USB port mounted to a vintage school desk which was purchased from a local community member. This USB outlet is to be used by the students, staff, and community.
Alongside the outlet, there is a mural, an educational display, and a display solar panel. The mural is an artistic depiction of solar power painted onto the wall of the copy room. The educational display is a brief description of the design and a simple explanation of solar power systems. The display solar panel is identical to the panel on the roof, and functions as a back-up panel as well as an educating device.
Costs
| Quantity | Material | Source | Retail Price ($) | Price Paid ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solar Charge Controller/Wattmeter | SunForce | 32.87 | 32.87 |
| 1 | USB Power Charger 12V DC | Waytek, Inc. | 11.00 | 11.00 |
| 2 | Solar Panel | CCAT | 180.00 | Donated |
| 1 | Sledge Hammer | Ace Hardware | 35.99 | Donated |
| 1 | Grounding Clamp | Ace Hardware | 5.99 | 5.99 |
| 10 | Bare Grounding Wire | Ace Hardware | 6.90 | 6.90 |
| 1 | Conduit PVC | Ace Hardware | 2.99 | 2.99 |
| 1 | Grounding Rod | Ace Hardware | 16.99 | 16.99 |
| 1 | Cedar Wood 2'x4'x8' | Pierson Building Company | 3.84 | 3.84 |
| Total Cost | fix this | $120.58 | ||
Testing Results
How to build
Use Template:How_to
Discussion and next steps
The top two criteria for this project are safety and educational value. Being equipped with a grounding rod, multiple fuses, and a charge controller, this project is safe for users from children to adults. Located within the charge controller is a watt meter. From this meter, students will be taking daily measurements of the amount of energy being produced by the system. To bring even more educational value to the project, it is equipped with multiple educational plaques which: explain how solar works, briefly describe how each component contributes to the system and explain the advantages of solar as a renewable energy. Not only can this project be used by the students and staff of Redwood Coast Montessori as well as the community, it is an effective learning tool that makes all of our futures a brighter one.
References
See Help:Footnotes for more. Template:Reflist