expansionpacks_clip_image004_0000Does it really matter what angle the solar cell makes with the incoming sunlight? If so, does it matter much? When the sun moves across the sky, solar cells on a house receive different amounts of sunlight. You’re going to find out exactly how much this varies by building your own solar boat.


We’re going to use solar cells and the basic ideas from Unit 10 (Electricity & Robotics) to build a solar-powered race car.  You’ll need to find these items below.  Note – if you have trouble locating parts, check the shopping list for information on how to order it straight from us.


  • Solar motor
  • Solar cell
  • Foam block (about 6” long)
  • Alligator clip leads
  • Propeller (you can rip one off an old small personal fan or old toy, or find them at hobby stores)

Here’s what you do:


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Download Student Worksheet & Exercises


1. Attach the wires of the solar cell to the motor (one to each motor terminal).


2. Attach the propeller to your motor. If the shaft won’t fit, drill out the center hole. If the hole is too large, use a tiny dab of hot glue on the shaft tip to secure the propeller into place.


3. Stand out in the sun. How do you need to hold your solar cell to make the propellers pin the fastest?


4. Position the motor on a block of foam so that the propeller hangs off the edge and is free to rotate. Hot glue the motor into place, being careful not to get any hot glue near any vents in your motor.


5. Hot glue your solar cell to the foam block. You might want to check the final position in sunlight before attaching it.


6. Optional: Wire up a simple switch (from Unit 10) using paperclips and brass fasteners so you can easily turn your power on and off.


How does it do that? If you want to learn about how solar cells create electricity, click here.


Going further: Using the same solar cell, you can also build a Wind Turbine and a Solar Car.


Exercises Answer the questions below:


  1. What kind of electricity comes from a battery and photovoltaic cell?
    1. Nuclear
    2. Voltaic
    3. Electrochemical
    4. Ionized
  2. Electricity is another name for the free flow of:
    1. Protons
    2. Quarks
    3. Electrodes
    4. Electrons
  3. True or false: Ions are attracted to the same charge.
    1. True
    2. False
  4. Do solar panels work in cloudy climates?
    1. Yes
    2. No

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Comments

2 Responses to “Solar Boat”

  1. joel_andring says:

    It makes a cleaner cut anyways, but it also makes foam dust!

  2. joel_andring says:

    Works even better to use a fine toothed hand saw to cut the foam, rather than a razor blade.