V DID YOU KNOW :
– Currently solar power generates about 4 per cent of the world ’ s electricity .
– Solar power is a clean , renewable energy source , it can cut energy bills , it has zero maintenance and can improve property values . On the other hand , it requires a south-facing roof , it takes up a lot of roof space , it can be expensive to install and in Britain is ineffective in dull , cloudy weather . What do you think about solar power ?
PHASE 2 :
Attach the clear plastic tubing to the baseboard in a zig-zag shape , using the U-shaped wire clips if the base is wooden , or duct tape if you ’ re using cardboard . Start with about 1-1.5 m of tubing but you may not need that much . Your tubing should be about 1-2 cm in diameter to allow water to flow through smoothly . ( Figure 2 ).
PHASE 3 :
With an adult ’ s help , make a very small hole at the bottom of the plastic bottle so that it will not leak when you insert one end of the tubing . The other end of the tubing should project through a hole just a short way into the cap of the bottle . Put sticky tack or putty around the areas where the pipe goes into the bottle to make sure they are watertight . ( See also Figure 2 ).
PHASE 4 :
Fill the system completely with water . Then cover the tinfoil panel with a sheet of black paper or black fabric and place it in the sunlight ( see Figure 3 ).
PHASE 5 :
Think carefully about where to position the panel outside to get maximum sunlight – south facing is often better . You may also need to prop up the panel to find the best angle to face the sun . Check the temperature of the water inside the bottle by touching it at intervals to feel that it is getting warm . Note : Stop the experiment when the sun ’ s power has been proven and before the water becomes too hot .
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Harvey would love to see your mini solar panels ! Did you manage to produce some warm water ?
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© AQUILA MAGAZINE . Written by John Davis PAGE 2 OF 2