Freeman, Okam, Gilbert, Nguyen 1

Joi Freeman (P.M.), Tamara Okam (G.E.), Madison Gilbert (F&S E.), Jessica Nguyen (D.M.)

AP Environmental Science

Norris

17 May 2016

APES Final - Solar versus Gas

Problem / Purpose

Is solar energy more efficient than natural gas?

Introduction

The world we live in is powered by electricity. From iPhones, televisions, and computers

to calculators, ovens, and lighting. The electricity for these items comes from one source:

Energy. Energy is produced from a variety of sources that may be chemical, thermal, radiant,

mechanical, or nuclear. Regardless of its source all of these sources provide the means to

generate electricity which is used to power the items we use daily.

The majority of electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and

oil. Heat generated from the burning of these fuels is used to turn water into steam that can turn

turbines or generators. According to the Energy Information Administration, in 2013, North

Carolinians consumed 493.8 trillion btu of coal, 445.9 trillion BTU of natural gas, and 174.9

trillion btu of distillate fuel oil. A BTU is the basic measuring block of energy. It is the amount

of heat energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit,

at sea level (Aldrich). One BTU of natural gas is equal to 100,000 therms of natural gas.

Fossil fuels are nonrenewable, and contribute to the amount of carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere. The influx of carbon dioxide contributes to the increased warming of Earth which

can destroy the diversity of Earth’s ecosystems (The Nature Conservancy, 2014). Because of
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this, humans must look for forms of renewable energy, like solar or wind, that do not emit carbon

dioxide in order to prevent increased warming.

Solar energy is defined by Merriam-Webster as “being produced by or using the sun’s

light or heat”. Solar energy has been identified as a renewable, alternative, and

environmental-friendly energy source. It is becoming an increasingly more favorable energy

option than fossil fuels because it does not contribute to increased emission of greenhouse gases

(The White House, 2016). Solar energy simply utilizes the sun’s energy, which does not harm

the environment at all. Another plus: We will never run out of the sun’s energy, it is completely

renewable.

Throughout history, necessity has been the mother of invention. Solar energy has been

viewed as a necessity for the impoverished and those in developing countries, which are often

not financially able to purchase pricier forms of energy. The first solar oven, invented by

Saussure, ran completely off the sun’s energy, so the cost of fossil fuels could be completely

omitted (Maehlum, 2013). In addition to its cheaper price, solar energy also provides an

environmentally clean alternative (and solution) to the endless pollution streaming from the

numerous industrial factories located in developing countries (Union of Concerned Scientists,

2016). However, in light of new research and technological advancements, solar energy has

become a global source of intrigue drawing in the interest of countries in all stages of

development.

Solar energy can be harnessed in two ways: thermal and photovoltaic (PV). Solar thermal

energy is when heat from the Sun is utilized to run a heat engine. This engine turns a generator

that produces electricity. In 1954, researchers at Bell Labs used previous studies completed by
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Albert Einstein to produce the first photovoltaic cells (Sunlight Electric LLC., 2013). PV cells

create electricity in a way that differs from thermal generation. Photovoltaic cells directly

convert the sun’s light into energy (Knier, 2016). The only drawback of PV cells is sunlight is a

necessity. Because of this, solar energy is most popular in sunny areas (U.S Solar Cooker at

Cantinawest, 2015). However, due to technological advancements, the need for direct sunlight is

becoming less and less of a limiting factor because people continue to believe that it is easier and

faster to use a gas stove over a solar oven is leading to a decrease in the number of people using

alternative energy sources (CEF, 2016). Despite this, there is still an abundance of activists and

organizations worldwide working to ensure that the future is filled with renewable and

alternative sources of energy (U.S. Department of Energy, 2016).

The United States gets 84% of its energy from fossil fuels (Nas Edu). The United States

currently consumes 60 billion cubic feet of natural gas everyday. The largest consumer of

natural gas is the U.S. and is an essential part of America's energy supply. It is created from the

remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Natural gas is a mixture of

hydrocarbons, and it burns more cleanly than most fossil fuels. It is also converted to energy by

using steam generating units and gas turbines. Humans use natural gas in several ways, the most

common ways include: generating electricity, heating, operating household appliances, lighting,

and gas stoves. A gas stove functions by natural gas entering the stove, the gas is then carried to

the burner where it is combined with air inside a mixing tube. The mixture is then released into

the burner where the ignition system lights the stove. Gas stoves operate on natural gas rather

than electricity which makes them a bit pricer. The problem with natural gas is that it can emit
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exhaust fumes, create unexpected fires from gas leaks, and although it doesn't emit as much

carbon dioxide as other fossil fuels, it still emits enough to contribute to the greenhouse effect.

The greenhouse effect is an essential process that keeps earth’s surface warm enough for

organisms to live in. Without the greenhouse effect, earth would be cold and inhospitable. When

the sun hits the earth, some of the sunlight is reflected back to space as heat (Infrared). As it is

being reflected back, greenhouse gases absorb the infrared and trap the heat in the atmosphere

(Thorpe). Most of the greenhouse effect occurs in the troposphere. (NCSU Staff) The greenhouse

effect itself is not a bad function, it is necessary to sustain life on earth. But an excessive amount

of warmth can cause global warming. This warming is detrimental to the Earth because it causes

significant climate changes including higher temperatures, rising sea levels, melting ice caps,

higher risk of drought, stronger storms, and more heat-related illnesses. (Climate Change).

Energy efficiency is derived by using less energy to provide the same service. In this

experiment, the group will determine the efficiency of a solar oven as opposed to a gas stove.

This will be tested by measuring how fast a solar oven can boil water compared to a traditional

gas stove. Later, the amount of gas, money, and energy saved by using a solar oven will be

calculated in order to determine the efficiency of the oven. The amount of carbon dioxide

emitted from the gas stove will also be calculated.

Hypothesis

If we put one ​pot of water in a solar oven and one pot of water on a traditional gas

stove​, then the pot of water in the solar oven ​will boil slower​ than the ​pot of water on a

traditional gas stove​.

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Materials

- Cardboard boxes (2).

● The inner box should have an opening of at least 38 cm × 38 cm, and be large

enough to hold the cooking pot that you intend to use. It should only be about 2.5

cm taller than the cooking pot.

● The outer box should be larger all around, with at least 1.5 cm of airspace

between the two boxes on each side. It should also ideally be about 2.5 cm–5.0

cm taller than the inner box.

● The distance between the two boxes does not have to be equal all the way around.

- Metric ruler or measuring tape.

- Straightedge, such as a hard ruler.

- Utility knife.

- Large sheet of cardboard for making the lid for the solar oven. The sheet must be

approximately 8-16 cm larger than the opening of the inner box, when measuring both

dimensions.

- Metal coat hanger. This is to make a prop for the lid.

- Pair of pliers. This is for cutting and bending coat hanger.

- Sheet of cardboard for making the shelf/heat sink for the solar oven. The sheet must be

the same size as the bottom of the inner box.

- Sheets of newspaper (several).

- A small roll of aluminum foil.

- Black tempera paint (at least 4 oz.). Make sure it is ​not​ "washable" tempera paint.
 Freeman, Okam, Gilbert, Nguyen 6

- Small paint brush.

- Elmer's white school glue (at least 8 oz.).

- Reynolds oven cooking bag, "turkey-size", or 47.5 cm × 58.5 cm, or 19" × 23-1/2".

- 500 mL water

- Iron pot

- Gas Stove

- Thermometer

Procedure

Building the Solar Oven

1. Set the inner box on top of the (closed) outer box and draw lines around the bottom of

inner box onto the top of the outer box.

2. Carefully cut along the line you made in step 1 to make the outer box have an opening

that the inner box can fit inside of.

3. Decide how tall you want your oven (the inner box) to be. We recommend about 2.5

centimeters (cm) taller than your largest pot, and about 2.5 cm – 5.0 cm shorter than the

outer box. (Note that you can change the height of the outer box in step 6, below.) This

way there will be a space between the bottoms of the boxes once the cooker is assembled.

4. Carefully use the utility knife to slit the corners of the inner box down to the height you

decided on.

5. Cut the new, extended flaps completely off so that you are left with a box (without flaps)

that is the height you want your oven to be. To do this, it is easiest to carefully use a

straightedge (e.g., a hard ruler) and the utility knife or a pair of scissors.
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6. If you need to make the outer box be shorter, cut it into two pieces (one being the new

height you want the box to be) and then glue or tape them back together (sliding one box

inside of the other) to make an intact outer box that is the correct height.

7. Glue aluminum foil to the inside of the outer box.

8. Place some wads of crumpled newspaper into the outer box so that when you set the inner

box down inside the hole in the outer box, the cut edges of the inner box are even with

the perimeter of the outer box. Also place wads of crumpled newspaper in the side spaces

between the inner and outer box — this will help insulate the oven.

9. Glue aluminum foil to the inside of the inner box.

10. With the inner box placed inside of the outer box, glue the top edge of the inner box to

the perimeter of the outer box where they touch.

11. Finally, make a shelf/heat sink inside the inner box. Cut a piece of cardboard the same

size as the bottom of the inner box. Glue aluminum foil to one side. Paint the foil black

using black tempera paint and allow it to dry.

12. Once the paint has dried, put the shelf/heat sink in the oven so that it rests on the bottom

of the inner box (black side up). The solar oven base is now finished.

Building the Solar Oven’s Lid

1. Take the large sheet of cardboard (that you will use for a lid) and set the solar oven base

on top of it (centered). Trace the outline of the base onto the lid.

2. Carefully use the utility knife and straightedge (i.e., hard ruler) to cut through one (of the

two) sides of the cardboard along the lines you drew. Then fold the cardboard down
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along the cut edges to make short flaps for the lid. Also cut the corner flaps so that the

lid's flaps can all fold down neatly.

3. Glue the lid's corners to the lid's side flaps to make the lid.

4. When the lid is done gluing, make sure it fits on the solar oven base as expected.

5. To make the reflector flap, draw a line on the lid, forming a rectangle the same size as the

oven opening (inner box size). Cut around three sides and fold the resulting flap up to

form the reflector.

6. Glue aluminum foil to the inside of the flap you just cut out.

7. Next, turn the lid upside-down and glue the oven cooking bag in place, covering the flap's

opening.

8. Make a lid prop by using a pair of pliers to bend a 30 cm piece of coat hanger wire.​Tip:

You can carefully cut a piece of coat hanger wire to be this length by making a groove on

it and then snapping it at the groove. Be careful handling the wire because the cut edges

will be sharp!

9. Insert the lid prop into the lid's corrugations.

10. Once the glue dries, your solar oven is complete and ready for cooking.

Testing On the Gas Stove

1. Put 500 mL of water in iron pot.

2. Place pot on the stove and turn the stove to medium heat (turn it to the number 5) and

start the timer.

3. Watch the water. When you see a bubble come to the surface, stop the timer..

Testing In the Solar Oven

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1. Put 500 mL in iron pot.

2. Place pot in the oven and start timer.

3. Watch water. When a bubble comes to the surface, stop the timer.

Data and Analysis

Oven Type Solar-Powered Gas-Fueled

Location of Oven Outside Home (Back yard) Inside Home (Kitchen)

Time of Day on a Sunny Day 2 pm 3:30 pm

Temperature of Location in 68°F 76°F

Fahrenheit on a Sunny Day

Time It Takes For Small 32.20 Minutes 4.19 Minutes

Pinhead Bubbles to Appear
on a Sunny Day

Amount of Time It Takes The 47.16 Minutes 8.14 Minutes

Water to Reach Rolling Boil
on a Sunny Day

Table 1: ​Boiling Time For Gas Stove and Solar Oven

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Fig. 1​: Time It Took For Water To Boil

The graph gives a visual of how long the water took to boil in the solar oven versus the

gas stove. It is clear that the gas stove won the race; It began boiling at about 4 minutes and the

water was full on boiling at about 8 minutes. The solar oven began boiling at approximately 32

minutes and was full on boiling at 47 minutes. There is a small margin for error in which the

person timing the boiling point can stop the timer slightly earlier/later of the actual time. Also, it

is difficult to determine exactly what a pinhead or rolling boil looks like. The person timing

could have stopped the timer earlier or later than when a the pinhead bubbles or rolling boil

actually began. Lastly, the temperature of a setting on a gas stove differs greatly from the

temperature of the outdoors and the time of day can affect the temperature and amount of

sunlight the oven receives.

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Fig 2: The solar oven at work in the sun

​Fig 3: ​Closer look at the solar oven

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Fig 4: ​Emerging Pinhead bubbles in solar oven

Fig 5: ​Pinhead Bubbles emerging in pot on gas stove

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Fig 6: ​Rolling boil in pot on gas stove

Conclusion

In our experiment we tested the efficiency of a solar oven and a traditional gas stove. For

the solar oven, a metal pot containing 500 milliliters of water was set in the solar oven. After

this, the solar oven was left outdoors in the sun to boil the water. It boiled the water at

approximately 47 minutes. For the traditional gas stove, a cast iron pot also containing 500

milliliters of water was placed on a stovetop indoors to boil the water, and reached a rolling boil

at approximately 8 minutes.

According to our results, it took the solar oven much longer to heat the water than a

traditional gas stove. This proves that solar ovens are less efficient than gas stoves

operation-wise. However, the gas stove, regardless of how fast it boiled the water, still used

fossil fuels which pollute the environment by emitting greenhouse gases. The stove burner used
 Freeman, Okam, Gilbert, Nguyen 14

for this experiment was a power boil burner which uses 17,000 BTU of natural gas per hour

which can be converted to 17 therms. 1 therm of natural gas releases 11.7 pounds of carbon

dioxide. Below is a picture of the equation used to compute the amount of carbon dioxide

emitted from the use of the stove for the duration of the boiling.

It is clear that the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from the use of the stove was 26.98 Lbs.

Whereas the solar oven emitted no carbon dioxide.

The solar oven was environmentally-friendly despite the longer duration of time it took to

bring the water to a boil. So, the next step is to question which stove is more energy efficient: the

solar stove over a long period of time, or the gas stove over a shorter amount of time?

In conclusion, there is no question that solar ovens are far more energy efficient than their

gas stove counterparts. However, this decision comes down to whether or not someone is willing

to sacrifice his or her time in order to protect the environment. The gas stove is clearly the faster

option, with the ability to bring water to a boil within eight minutes, but it is also powered by

nonrenewable fossil fuels that pollute the environment. This data also proves that anthropogenic

activities and innovations (such as gas stoves) heavily contribute to the greenhouse effect

(Enzler, 2016). In contrast, the solar oven takes approximately forty-seven minutes to bring
 Freeman, Okam, Gilbert, Nguyen 15

water to a boil, but does so without harming the environment whatsoever. This data explains the

overall increase in the use of solar energy that the U.S. has seen over the past year; American

citizens are beginning to realize the environmental-saving effects of solar, and other alternative,

energy sources (Alban Eco-Solutions, 2015).

Our hypothesis was proven correct. The pot of water that was placed on the traditional

gas stove boiled a lot faster (8.14 minutes) than the pot of water placed in the solar oven (47.16

minutes). This experiment was very successful; however, errors could have been made. For

instance, the amount of sunlight differs at varying times of day. The time tested in the

experiment could have been when the sun wasn’t as high in the sky, affecting the time it took to

boil. Secondly, different kinds of pots were used (cast iron and metal). This could have also

affected the amount of time it took to boil because the different materials of the pots could have

conducted heat differently. Another error is the fact that it was difficult to determine what

constituted as “boiling.” Was it when we first saw bubbles? When we first saw a rolling boil?

Lastly, Solar cell efficiency varies depending on the location,weather, and seasonal variations

(PurSolar & Electrical, 2015). These factors would make a difference in the boiling time of the

water and could have been the reason why the water took a long time to boil.

To counteract these errors, instead of looking at the bubbles in the pot, the amount of

time it takes for water to reach 212°F (boiling point) could be measured. Also, the same kind of

pot should be used to ensure consistency.

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