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RUNNING HEADING: LAB NOTEBOOK 7
Jarrett Lash & Hahnbee Lee
February 8th, 2017
Solar Energy: Out on a Limb
Weve succeeded in the coding of the Raspberry Pi.
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Materials and Methods
These past two weeks we were able to overcome many obstacles in coding. We were
having issues with getting the servo-hat to be detected on the Raspberry Pi, so we tried different
types of connection pins. We eventually found a connection pin that was capable of creating a
stable connection to the Pi. Next issue we faced was having a solid connection to the servos
themselves. We found that this was not an issue of physical connection, but in the coding. We
guessed that the code was delivering the wrong amperage to the servos, thus under powering
them. Once we played with the amps, we were able to find a suitable level for one of the servos
that had been used for a previous project. We are still trying to find the correct amps for the high
strength servo we ordered to use. However, for the initial testing the low powered servo will be
sufficient (Figure 1).
In the next two weeks, we plan to start coding the data collection system so that we can
actively collect data as the system runs. We also plan on connecting the UV light detector so
when a large amount of UV is detected in a certain section then the servos will be capable of
following the sun. Although, we desire to be flexible with the design and if this isnt a feasible
option we plan on simply coding the servos to move every 30 minutes or so in sync with the
natural movement of the sun across the sky,
For the tree, we have decided to make it a simple two branch tree. Instead of having the
middle pivot branch, we will just have the two on the outside. We think that this will be alright
for the testing to create active data that represents the added benefit when place into both angles
from Monte Carlo simulations as well as in the Fibonacci branch sequencing.
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Figure 1 Code for the servos to move back and forth.
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Data and Results
As stated in our last Lab Notebook, we have not collected any data. We are still in the
process of forming our design so we can construct our PVTree for testing. But the quantitative
data we plan on collecting is the amount of solar energy collected when we change the different
angles at which the panels will be set and program different pattern at which our tree will move
in accordance to sunlight. We plan on making a logger pro-esque system that will inform us on
how much energy we have collected over a specific time period in a day. Qualitative data will be
in the different features and structures we end up deeming the most effective which is evidently
the characteristics that allow us to gain the most sunlight in a day. Data will be measured in ratio
between lux detected and electricity harnessed to ensure a common pattern as well as steady and
reliable results.
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References
Cockfield. B. (2015). Two Axis Solar Tracker. Retrieved October 25. 2016 from:
http://hackaday.com/2015/08/25/two-axis-solar-tracker/
Dimitrokalia, E., Mackrilla, J., Jones G., Ramachersb Y., Caina R. (2015). Moving away from
flat solar panels to PVTrees: exploring ideas and peoples perceptions. Retrieved
September 15, 2016 from:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/about/environment/carbon/solar_trees/downloads/proceeding
_paper2015.pdf
Sarokin. J. (2014). How to: Build a Solar Powered Raspberry Pi. [Video File]. Retrieved
October 20. 2016 from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpAYDcW_Jx0
Verma, N., Mazumder, S. (2014). An Investigation of Solar Trees for Effective Sunlight Capture
Using Monte Carlo Simulations of Solar Radiation Transport. Retrieved September 27,
2016 from:
https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/1811/68744/Navni_Verma_Hayes_Research_
Forum15.pdf?sequence=1
Zhr, M., Friedrich, D., Kloth, T. Y., Goldmann, G., & Helmut Tributsch, H. (2010). Bionic
Photovoltaic Panels Bio-Inspired by Green Leaves. Retrieved September 19, 2016, from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/49293285_Bionic_Photovoltaic_Panels_Bio-
Inspired_by_Green_Leaves
