INTRODUCTION

In our project, we have study about solar energy and how it works. The project focus on
different ways to use solar thermal (or heat) energy. This project is divide into several parts
which is the purpose of the experiment, the materials and equipment that we need to do the
experiment, where . procedure to conduct the experiment, the result and discussion of the
experiment, and the future findings that we can overcome.
Earth systems have both internal and external sources of energy, both of which create
heat. The sun is the major external source of energy.There are some applications of solar energy
such as space heating and cooling through delighting, thermal energy for cooking, and high
temperature process heat for industrial purposes. Solar cookers use sunlight for cooking, drying
and pasteurization. They can be grouped into three broad categories which are box cookers,
panel cookers and reflector cookers
Solar energy is the renewable energy that we can get directly from the sun. BBQ solar set
is also called collectors that trap the suns rays to produce heat. The parabolic shape is perfect for
focusing the sunlight on the tube so that this device can keeps the mirrors pointed toward the sun
as it moves across the sky. Most solar collectors are boxes, frames, or rooms.

Students perform an experiment, using a solar cooker built out of an

umbrella.

THEORY
Sunlight is a radiation from solar that brings energy. The Earth receives about 174 petawatts
(PW) of incoming solar radiation (insolation) at the upper atmosphere. Approximately 30% is
reflected back to space while the rest is absorbed by clouds, oceans and land masses. The
spectrum of solar light at the Earth's surface is mostly spread across the visible and near-infrared
ranges with a small part in the near-ultraviolet. Solar energy refers primarily to the use of solar
radiation for practical ends. However, all renewable energies, other than geothermal and tidal,
derive their energy from the sun.
The radiation from solar is actually can be converting into a more practical use for our
lifestyle by using some technology. One of the technologies that already suggested by scientist is
solar panel. The working principle of solar panel is use light energy (photon) from the sun to
generate electricity through photovoltaic effect. Most of the solar panel module use wafer-based
crystalline silicon cells or a thin-film cell based on cadmium telluride or silicon. Depending on
construction the photovoltaic can cover a range of frequencies of light and can produce
electricity from them, but sometimes cannot cover the entire solar spectrum (specifically,
ultraviolet, infrared and low or diffused light). Hence much of incident sunlight energy is wasted
when used for solar panels, although they can give far higher efficiencies if illuminated with
monochromatic light.
Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive or active depending on the
way they capture, convert and distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques use photovoltaic
panels, pumps, and fans to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Passive solar techniques include
selecting materials with favorable thermal properties, designing spaces that naturally circulate
air, and referencing the position of a building to the Sun. Active solar technologies increase the
supply of energy and are considered supply side technologies, while passive solar technologies
reduce the need for alternate resources and are generally considered demand side technologies.
In designing a perfect solar panel to capture the sunlight efficiently is by using a
parabolic reflector. Parabolic is a reflective device used to collect or project energy such as light,
sound, or radio waves. Its shape is that of a circular parabolic, that is, the surface generated by a
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parabola revolving around its axis. The parabolic reflector transforms an incoming plane wave
traveling along the axis into a spherical wave converging toward the focus. Conversely, a
spherical wave generated by a point source placed in the focus is transformed into a plane wave
propagating as a collimated beam along the axis.
Parabolic reflectors are used to collect energy from a distant source (for example sound
waves or incoming star light) and bring it to a common focal point, thus correcting spherical
aberration found in simpler spherical reflectors. Since the principles of reflection are reversible,
parabolic reflectors can also be used to project energy of a source at its focus outward in a
parallel beam, used in devices such as spotlights and car headlights.
The parabolic reflector functions due to the geometric properties of the paraboloidal
shape: if the angle of incidence to the inner surface of the collector equals the angle of reflection,
then any incoming ray that is parallel to the axis of the dish will be reflected to a central point, or
"focus" point. Because many types of energy can be reflected in this way, parabolic reflectors
can be used to collect and concentrate energy entering the reflector at a particular angle.
Similarly, energy radiating from the "focus" to the dish can be transmitted outward in a beam that
is parallel to the axis of the dish.

PROJECT 4

We will construct a model of a parabolic solar collector that wil l

cook a hot dog. (BBQ SOLAR SET)
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

25-inch (63-centimeter) sheet of aluminum foil

Plywood

3 wire coat hanger

Paint can

Cellophane or masking tape

4 nuts

8 bolts

Zink

Tungsten wire

Switch

2 LED

Electrical wire

Prospect

Spray

PROCEDURE TO CONSTRUCT BBQ SOLAR SET

1. Cut the paint can equally and make the ends of the parabolic trough out of the zink using the
pattern shown here. (We will need to enlarge the pattern to match the scale given.)

2. Weld the end of the parabolic to the body of the heat collector
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3. Spray the parabolic heat collector

4. Drill hole to the parabolic heat collector suitable to the nut and bolt size.
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5. Cut and drill plywood to make the box frame

6. Built a box of electric component

7. Attach the trough to the box frame using nut and bolts. Make sure that the trough can
move up and down but will stay in one place.
8. Tape the aluminium foil to the parabolic heat collector
9. Straighten the wire coat hanger and bend one end to make a handle.
10. Push the coat hanger though the hole on one side. Put the hot dog on the coat hanger,
and push the coat hanger though the hole on the other side.

FEATURES OF BBQ SOLAR SET

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1. Hot dog Holder hold the hot dog

2. Aluminium Foil reflect the light/heat in order to cook the hot dog
3. Parabolic heat collector trap the heat
4. Solar cell model store solar energy and use it at night if necessary
5. Box frame hold the parabolic heat collector
6. Bolt transit current to the circuit
7. Electronic box keep all the electronic component safely
8. Tungsten wire warm the hot dog
9. Switch switch on / off the circuit when using the solar cell
10. LED recognize the switch whether on or off

DOING THE EXPERIMENT

1. Place the BBQ solar set so the mirrored though faces the sun
2. Adjust the trough up and down until the mirrored surface focuses the sun on the hotdog
3. Cook the hot dog.

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RESULT/DISCUSSION

Start the experiment

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After 1 hour and 30 minute

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DISCUSSION/QUESTION

1. How long did it take to cook the hot dog?

This product uses the sun light/heat as the medium to cook the hot dog. It took at about one and
half hour to cook it. So, the efficiency of this product depends on the rate of the sun light/ heat

2. Did you have to move the cooker to keep the sun focused on the hotdog?

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Yes, I have to move the cooker to keep the sun focused on the hotdog. The parabolic heat collector should
keep in a suitable place in order to reflect the sun heat on the hotdog. Therefore, the hotdog can receive
the maximum sunlight/heat to minimize the time dilation to cook it.

ADVANTAGES OF BBQ SOLAR SET

Easy and cheap to make

Moderate cooking temperatures in simple solar cookers help preserve nutrients.

Smoky cooking fires irritate lungs and eyes and can cause diseases. Solar cookers are
smoke-free.

Cooking fires are dangerous, especially for children, and can readily get out of control
causing damage to buildings, gardens, etc. Solar cookers are fire-free.

With good sunlight, solar cookers can be used to cook food or pasteurize water during
emergencies when other fuels and power sources may not be available.

Many poverty-stricken families worldwide spend 25% or more of their income on

cooking fuel. Sunlight solar cooker "fuel" is free and abundant. Money saved
can be used for food, education, health care, etc.

Many solar cookers are portable, allowing for solar cooking at work sites or while
pursuing outdoor activities like picnics, trekking or camping.

Indoor smoke from cooking fires leads to childhood pneumonia, responsible for over
four million deaths per year. Solar cookers are smoke-free.

Reduce imports of and subsidies on biomass and fossil fuels.

Biomass and petroleum fueled cooking fires pollute the air and contribute to global
warming. Solar cookers are pollution-free, and, when used in large numbers, may help
curb global warming.

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Kitchens remain cool while food solar cooks outdoors. This reduces the load on air
conditioners and refrigerators in summer months, saving fossil fuels (and lowering
utility bills).

DISADVANTAGES OF BBQ SOLAR SET

Availability of Sunlight. Conditions such as cloudy days, storms, and rain also affect the
amount of sunlight in an area. Places that see more wet conditions may not be able to
produce as much solar energy as areas that experience drier and warmer climates.

FUTURE FINDINGS
In the future, we can improve this project by trying to smooth out the surface of the aluminum
foil as much as possible. This is because any little wrinkles of the aluminum foil will reduce the
efficiency of the cooker. Besides using the aluminum foil, tin foil also can be used. Tin foil is
stiffer than the aluminum foil.
The real solar panel should be used in order to replace the battery. Solar panels collect
solar radiation from the sun and actively convert that energy to electricity. Solar panels are
comprised of several individual solar cells. These solar cells function similarly to large
semiconductors and utilize a large-area p-n junction diode. When the solar cells are exposed to
sunlight, the p-n junction diodes convert the energy from sunlight into usable electrical energy.
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The energy generated from photons striking the surface of the solar panel allows electrons to be
knocked out of their orbits and released, and electric fields in the solar cells pull these free
electrons in a directional current, from which metal contacts in the solar cell can generate
electricity. The more solar cells in a solar panel and the higher the quality of the solar cells, the
more total electrical output the solar panel can produce. The conversion of sunlight to usable
electrical energy has been dubbed the Photovoltaic Effect.
Since the price of the solar panel is quite expensive, scrap solar cells also can be used.
Scrap solar cells are those broken during manufacturing, and solar cell producers often sell these
for very cheap prices about $3/watt compared to usual solar panel which is about $4.50/watt. It
will start generating electricity after it has been soldered.

CONCLUSION
As the conclusion, the use of solar energy is actually gives many benefits. Although it cannot be
utilized at night or on cloudy days, its availability may be generally relied upon day after day.
The solar energy supply will last as long as the sun. Solar cells provide cost effective solutions to
energy problems in places where there is no mains electricity. Solar cells are also totally silent
and non-polluting. As they have no moving parts, they require little maintenance and have a long
lifetime. Compared to other renewable sources they also possess many advantages; wind and
water power rely on turbines which are noisy, expensive and liable to breaking down. Of all the
advantages of solar energy over oil, this is perhaps the most important. The burning of oil
releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air. In addition to this, the process of
obtaining it may result in damaged ecosystems through dredging or spills. Although solar panels
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and their accessories (solar lights, etc.) may be expensive to buy at the onset, money is saved in
the long run. This is because energy from the sun is widely available and free. Today rising oil
prices are a major frustration on many government as well as individual levels. Solar powered
lights and other solar powered products are also very easy to install. As solar energy gives many
benefit to us and environment, why not we invest our many to install it?

REFERENCE
Advantage

of

solar

energy.

Retrieved

on

9th

October

from

http://www.solarhome.org/infoadvantagesofsolarenergy.html

Solar

hot

dog

cooker.

Retrieved

fromhttp://www.freepatentsonline.com/5054467.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabolic_reflector

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on

9th

October

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_energy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_module

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