Nanobots in a School Building

Delivering a Brighter Future.

Research topic: Can nanobot be a great help in

DNA testing?

Submitted by: Leo Palatino

Submitted to: Mrs. Ma. Corazon P. Lim

Abstract

This paper provides information regarding solar/photovoltaic cells. A solar cell is an

electronic device that converts light into electrical energy. Some misconceptions also arisen

about solar panels such as on its efficiency in cold places and the real development of the solar

cell technology.

This research paper also includes a step by step process of how a solar cell functions. It

explains the intricate process of how a semiconductor produces electricity from light, the

connection of solar cells to produce higher electricity through a solar panel, and the charging of

battery for further use until the consumption of electricity by the DC and AC loads is done.

The advantages of having a solar panel both for the owner and community, the edge of a

solar electricity generation from the conventional electricity generation, the benefits of

renewable sources of energy from non-renewable sources of electricity, and our planet's gain in

choosing renewable sources of electricity are discussed too.

Finally, there is a brief discussion about the school building's saving that a school can

have when utilizing the power of the sun which deals with the practicality of having a solar

panel in a school building and the parameters needed in order to make it possible.
Research topic:

Can solar power help reduce the electricity bills of a school building?

Thesis statement:

Solar power can help in reducing our schools electricity bills while protecting our

beloved planet from harm.

1. The history of utilizing the power of the sun from the 7th century when they use sun in

making fire ants burning ants to the development of the silicon photovoltaic cell at bell labs are

briefly discussed.

2. This is the definition of a solar panel as an electronic device that converts light into

electricity, although misconceptions have arisen too.

2.1 These are the common misconceptions about a solar or photovoltaic cell.

2.1.1 A photovoltaic or solar cell needs direct sunlight in order for it to work

properly.

2.1.2 A photovoltaic or solar cell is a new technology therefore it is not

advanced enough to be utilized.

2.2 A photovoltaic or solar cell is an electronic device that converts light into

electrical energy.

3. The process of how a photovoltaic or solar cell works has been fully understood by

scientists.

3.1 The sunlight is absorbed by the photovoltaic cells.

3.2 The charge controller control the amount of electricity in batteries

3.3 The DC produced by the solar cell is converted into AC by an inverter while

some are used by some DC powered appliances and some are stored in batteries.
 3.4 The AC produced by the inverter is used by the common appliances that are

powered by AC.

4. There are advantages of using photovoltaic cells.

4.1 With the rising Meralco bills, a school can save money by using photovoltaic

cells.

4.2 With the advancement of technology, photovoltaic cells are becoming more

efficient while lowering cost.

5. These are the schools that use photovoltaic cells as their source of electricity; therefore

National University may use them in the future too.

5.1 The Ma Wan school in Hong Kong is currently using photovoltaic cells in

powering their building.

5.2 The East Los Angeles College is planning on installing photovoltaic cells in their

building.

5.3 National University must look for ways on how it can make the utilization of

photovoltaic cells possible.

6. The Photovoltaic cell has an edge over conventional electricity generators.

7. Additional benefits of using photovoltaic cells have been realized.

7.1 Using photovoltaic cells lessens the consumers' reliance on non-renewable

sources of energy which harm our environment.

7.2 If we use photovoltaic cells, we will be helping the researchers of the solar panel

companies to improve the quality of their product.

7.3 Our utilization of photovoltaic cells will promote renewable sources of energy.

7.4 Photovoltaic system is a good way to save money and save our planet but one
 would have to consider many factors lke an available space for the solar panels,

and the money needed to invest for it if it will be installed in an institution.

Introduction

The sun is the closest star we have to our dear planet and as we all know, it is one of the

major factors that resulted in the creation of life here on earth. The light that it radiates keeps all

the organisms alive including plants, animals, men, and insects. Even the tiniest

microorganisms owe their life to our generous star.

But, as our technology progresses, we have learned that our precious star can give more

than just life. The light that our star provides, when harnessed properly, can be used to give men

their necessities namely, heat and electricity.

The heat that the precious sun provides can be very useful. In cold countries, people use

sunlight for providing heat in their houses and even warming their swimming pools. Some

people also use sunlight in heating their water and cooking certain foods. Industrial facilities

such as desalination plants rely on the heat collected from the sun in producing fresh water and

sea salt from sea water.

The electricity that the sun provides can be very useful especially in places which power

grid lines cannot reach. Luxury boats, tankers, military, and passenger boats rely on solar

energy in powering their navigation equipments and other electrical devices. Homeowners who

installed solar panels in their own homes, whether partially or entirely, claimed to have had a
large amount of savings in their electric bills.(Solar Energy: Advantages and Limitations, 2009)

This research paper provides information on how solar power can help reduce the

electricity bills of a school building, such as our National University main building, and how it

can make our world a better place to live in. The objective of this research is to show the

positive side of an alternative power source, such as the photovoltaic cell, and to encourage

people to utilize this technology because it will help save our beloved planet from destruction.

This research paper is a descriptive one and the methodology that I used in making this is

library and internet research. This research paper tackles the definition, history, and the process

of how a photovoltaic cell functions.

Body

In the beginning, people benefited from the sun not only as a source of light but also a

source of comfort through the different technologies they had in their era that utilized the

sunlight. As early as the 7th century BC, people used the sun in making fire and burning ants

through the use of a magnifying glass. In the 3rd century, the Romans, and in 20 AD, the

Chinese used burning mirrors in lighting their torches and for religious purposes. In the 2 nd

century BC, 212 BC to be exact, the Greek scientist, Archimedes, used the reflective properties

of bronze shields to focus sunlight and to set fire to wooden ships from the Roman Empire

which were besieging Syracuse (Although no proof of such a feat exists, the Greek navy

recreated the experiment in 1973 and successfully set fire to a wooden boat at a distance of 50

meters. However in 'Myth busters', a show in discovery channel that authenticates myths by
trying them out, they concluded that the theory of burning a ship using bronze shield is

implausible). In 1767, a Swiss scientist Horace de Saussure was credited with building the

world’s first solar collector, which was later used by Sir John Herschel to cook food during his

South Africa expedition in the 1830s. In 1829, a French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovered

the photovoltaic effect while experimenting with an electrolytic cell made up of two metal

electrodes placed in an electricity-conducting solution. Here he discovered that electricity-

generation increased when exposed to light. Finally in 1954, Photovoltaic technology was born

in the United States when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson developed the

silicon photovoltaic (PV) cell at Bell Labs. It was the first solar cell capable of converting

enough of the sun’s energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment. Bell Telephone

Laboratories produced a silicon solar cell with 4% efficiency and later achieved 11% efficiency.

We can see solar cells almost everywhere now, in the calculators that we use, in some

solar powered watches , solar cellphone chargers, solar bike lights, camping lanterns, and some

other electronic gadgets that we use in our day to day lives. There is also a concept in the last

twenty years, called “Solar Revolution.” The idea is that people will never pay for their

electricity bills because we will just harness the energy coming from the sun and convert it to

electricity for our daily use. Given that the popularity of solar technology is on the rise, it is just

fit that we learn what a solar cell truly is and how it works.

Let us first clear some misconceptions about a photovoltaic cell. First is that a solar

cell is only effective in hot countries(countries near the equator) and that it is useless in

the countries at the northern and southern latitudes. Some people also believe that a solar
cell is less efficient during the winter days because there is less sunlight. But, contrary to

what people believe, a solar cell does not need a direct sunlight or heat from the sun to

function properly. In fact, Germany, a country in the far northern latitude where there is

less sunlight, is one of the biggest consumers of solar panels.(Larry West, accessed on

February 16, 2007) Even the night lights can make a photovoltaic cell generate electricity,

although this amount is very small.

Another misconception about a solar cell is that because of the newness of this

technology, it is not mature enough to be utilized today. Solar cell, as a matter of fact, is a

matured technology. Some of the commonly used electronic gadgets today even adopt the

photovoltaic system in their products. The only issue is the low efficiency of photovoltaic cells

(About Solar Technology, accessed on February 16, 20010). But if we look through our history,

photovoltaic cell efficiency was 6% in the 1950's, 24% by 2000, then rising to 26% in 2002 and

30% 2007 (Dave Dugdale, 2010). This shows us that efficiency has greatly improved and is still

improving at such a high pace. Now that we have cleared some misconceptions about a solar

cell, let us look into the real definition of a solar cell.

A solar cell is an electronic device that has the ability to turn light, usually sunlight into

electrical or heat energy. There are actually two kinds of solar cells according to their functions.

The first one is the photovoltaic cell. “Photo” means light and “Voltaic” means electricity. Thus,

as the word implies, it converts light into electricity. The second one is the solar heater; these

solar panels are used to convert light into heat. They provide hot water in homes that is why it

is also called solar water heating panels. They also heat swimming pools and other facilities.
(Solar water heating, accessed on February 16, 2010) But my thesis is concerned with

photovoltaic cells so this research paper will be focusing more on photovoltaic cells.

Illustration : How photovoltaic cells operate in a household

Now that we have learned what a photovoltaic cell is, let us see its composition and how

it functions. The solar cell is composed of six layers. When light hits the solar panel, the first

layer that it passes through is the glass cover; the function of this cover is to protect the

photovoltaic cell from elements such as wind, rain or snow. The second layer that the light

passes through is the anti-reflective coating; this coating is used to increase the efficiency of the

cell because it traps the light and lessens the its ability to bounce off or reflect. This is an

important function because it lets the panel absorb more light in order for the photovoltaic cell

to produce more electricity. Next is the contact grid. This grid is made up of highly conductive

metal because it acts as a bridge for the electrons to travel faster. Then, we have the N-type and
P-type silicon. These are pure silicons with impurities which are added through the process of

doping. N-type silicon are doped with phosphorus and P-type silicon are doped with boron. The

silicon's function is to act like a diode which lets the electrons pass through only one direction.

The last layer is the back contact. This connects the photovoltaic cell to the charge controller

and inverter.

After the photovoltaic cell has received sunlight, the current that it has produced goes

through a charge controller. This controls the amount of current that is stored in the battery to

prolong its lifespan. It also gives an individual an opportunity to use electricity even if there is

no sunlight available.

The inverter is used to transform DC or direct current into AC or alternating current.

The photovoltaic cell only produces DC while the commonly used appliances in homes are

powered by AC. Some solar cells have built-in inverters to reduce the need for large inverters

and minimize the wiring system (Solar panel inverters, 2009).

After the DC has been converted into AC, it can now be used by the ordinary appliances

we have in our houses. But some of the DC are not converted into AC because there are some

appliances that require DC in order to function.

The reader might be wondering, this technology is great but what benefit will it produce

if the photovoltaic cell technology will be utilized in our school?. The answer is very simple, it

will lower the electricity bill of our building.

 Along with the rise of global economic problems and the oil prices in the global market

that we have today, comes the higher inflation in our country which will result in higher prices

of our everyday necessities, including the electric bills. In addition, there is the value added tax

that the government mandates our power companies with their every sale and which they let the

consumers shoulder. Our school would be better off if an alternative power source would be

installed in our building.

Moreover, the companies of the photovoltaic cells are currently researching on how to

maximize the efficiency of their products while minimizing their cost. A lot of institutions such

as research industries and universities. are also looking for ways to improve the photovoltaic

cells. A good example of this is the thin film photovoltaic cells. The idea is to create a thinner

photovoltaic to reduce the production cost. (Bryan Walsh, 2008) Another example is the spray

on photovoltaic cell. Here the cost of expensive covering is reduced while giving the

photovoltaic cell less reflective capacity to absorb more sunlight, thus, increasing efficiency.

(Stephanie Stohr, 2009)

One may wonder if a solar powered school is really feasible. Or has anyone done it yet?

The answer is yes, it has been done in some schools internationally. In the Ma Wan school in

Hong Kong, “the roofs have been pumping kilowatts since 2004 and also acting as a sunshade,

creating shadow and comfort on the top floor and over the atria”. This project was “developed

as a prototype to 'understand local solar energy resources, promote school PV installations and

determine the value to HK of wide-scale applications'”. (Lloyd Alter, April 20, 2007) Just like
the Ma Wan school in Hong Kong, the East Los Angeles College in the United States has

installed the photovoltaic system in its roofing system with the help of Energy Conversion

Devices Inc., a company that “manufactures, sells and installs thin-film solar laminates that

convert sunlight to energy using proprietary technology”. Mark Morelli, CEO of Energy

Conversion Devices Inc. said in an interview that this project has provided them with a unique

opportunity of helping East Los Angeles College save money and prepare for a greener future.

(Energy conversion devices to install solar roofing system at East Los Angeles College,

November 9, 2009)

With all these exemplars of schools that utilize the photovoltaic technology in their

school building, the National University officials must look for ways on how they can re-create

these occurrences of photovoltaic panels in school buildings for building a greener future while

saving money from their electricity bills. But they also have to consider the practicality of

having one. A typical photovoltaic panel generates about 70 milliwatts per square inch, and if

the sun shines 5 hours per day, it generates 350 milliwatt-hour per day. If we use the data given

by the UST, they consumed an average of 195,652.6 kW-hr last 2007 in their main building.

(Campus power bills rise, June 30, 2008) They consume 6,521.75 kW-hr per day, this means

that you a building has to have a place of 12,027.8 square meters for photovoltaic cells. If we

consider the standard cost of solar panels which is $ 16,000 every 26 square meters, at 44 pesos

per one dollar, that 12,000 square meters of photovoltaic cells would cost 325.7 million pesos.

If we use the UST data,at 4.9303 pesos per kilowatt-hr, they consume 11.5 million pesos per

year in their main building.(Myrna Velasco, Febuary 5, 2010) This means that it would take 28

years for a school building to compensate for the photovoltaic cells cost if a building is to buy
them.

There are different factors in considering what type of electricity generator is most

efficient. The cost efficiency, environmental friendliness, dependability, and the practicality of

the device are among them.

When it comes to the cost efficiency of the device, photovoltaic power is the best

choice. Even though photovoltaic cells cost more than the conventional electricity generators,

1) it does not need fuel to operate; 2) it does not need to be checked by a professional every six

months to determine if there are parts that need changing; 3)it does not have moving parts that

might malfunction ; 4) it does not need constant maintenance; and 5) it does not need changing

of oil and filters every now and then. Solar panels also operate using sunlight, which is free. It

may require some installation after a consumer buys it but the hassle stops there. The only

thing that needs to be maintained in a photovoltaic cell is the clearness of the glass which

receives the light. When it comes to environmental friendliness, solar panels beat conventional

electricity generators. Solar panels do not produce harmful gasses and high concentrated toxins

that pollute the environment. Plus the energy produced in photovoltaic cells is a renewable

energy, unlike most diesel powered electricity generators that produce non-renewable

electricity. When it comes to the dependability, conventional electricity generators beat solar

panels. Power generators do not rely on sunlight to function, therefore, they can operate in

places and in times when there is no light. It only needs fuel in order to function which makes it

more dependable than photovoltaic cells. When it comes to practicality, however, solar panels

beat conventional electricity generators. Solar panels are less costly in the long run. They do not
need fuel that may spread harmful gases in the environment, and even if photovoltaic cells

depend on sunlight in order to operate, they can still produce electricity even with a small

amount of sunlight. A very good example of this is Germany which is introduced in the

photovoltaic cell misconceptions.(Solar power vs. Conventional electricity generators, 2009)

The purpose of this study is to lessen the electricity bill of a school building. But a

photovoltaic cell has a lot more to offer, one of which is its less reliance on non-renewable

source of electricity.

There are many kinds of sources of energy that we have nowadays, but a lot of these

sources create more problems in the long run by contributing to the global warming,

endangering people's lives and creating the greenhouse effect. One of these sources of energy is

the fossil fuel energy. Even though burning fuel in order to generate electricity costs less than

other forms of energy, burning fossil fuel creates much residue in the air that contributes to the

destruction of environment and in turn, global warming. Another form of energy is the nuclear

energy. It is when plutonium and uranium, known radioactive materials, are broken down and

the energy released from this process is known as nuclear energy. But using this kind of energy

brings serious threats to the environment, especially to the people living near the nuclear power

plant because a single mistake can result in radioactive contamination in the area. In the midst

of all these dangers that threaten our planet to destruction comes the solar energy, one of the

most environmental friendly sources of electricity that we have. Solar energy is safer because it

does not require the burning of fuels which produces harmful gases. It certainly does not

endanger the people around it for radioactive poisoning because it does not contain radioactive
material and it does not create any form of residue that might pose as a threat in the

environment.(Solar energy: Advantages and limitations, 2009)

Our planet will not be the only one that will benefit if photovoltaic technology is to be

utilized in a in a school building. The photovoltaic industries will also benefit because the

utilization of photovoltaic cells in a school building will give ample data that they need I

improving their technology. Besides, the universities can also contribute in improving the

photovoltaic cell efficiency and lowering the cost.

Plus, if a school building will utilize the photovoltaic technology in their building, they

will promote the employment of renewable source of electricity so that other institutions may

replicate what they did in their building. Building a better market for photovoltaic cells in our

country is therefore, maximizing the demand and minimizing the cost of photovoltaic cells. The

employment of photovoltaic cells here in our country will also contribute to the reliance of

Filipinos in non-renewable source of energy.

In conclusion, I think a school building would benefit greatly if they were to have a

photovoltaic system in powering the school, but they have to take into consideration the

important parameters that they need to have. First, they should have a place of, at least 12,000

square meters. Then, they have to invest about 325.7 million pesos in photovoltaic cells. This

amount may be big but it will be paid in 28 years of usage because they would not have to pay

for any electric bill then. This project will not only save our money in electric bills but this will

help greatly in reducing the harm that the conventional power generators deliver in our planet.
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