Solar Powered USB Charging: Will It Be Enough to Charge My Apple Watch?
Energy and Change- Grade:
- 5
- Teacher:
- Susan Herman
The purpose of this science fair project is to create a solar powered usb device to use when electricity is not available or in case of an emergency. I had to learn about how many volts and watts are needed from a solar panel to charge a usb device and test if 5 volts (v) would be enough, or if amps matter as well. I predicted that a 5 volt solar panel would be enough because most usb devices need 5 volts to charge. To test this, I built 3 prototypes, each having more volts and amps. The first prototype had the lowest volts and amps, and the last prototype had the highest volts and amps. I then put all 3 prototypes in the sun at the same time of day and measured whether they charged my apple watch, how many volts and amps were produced, and how long it took to raise the charge percentage by 1%. The results showed that the solar panel with the higher volts and amps will be the best product to charge a usb device. After testing prototype 3 and seeing the results, I then turned it into a binder that can be carried in a backpack and could be used for an outside adventure or an emergency.
What a great project! This would be so helpful for people who are hiking or doing an outdoor activity and their device dies. I’m very impressed!
Wow Maverick!! This super cool!! You learned some important things about electrical engineering!! This is super useful. Solar is so cool and you can do so much with it. I am trying to build a completely off-grid tiny home supported by only Solar and have been learning this same stuff. You are way ahead of the game!! Great job!
The student demonstrates a strong understanding of electrical concepts and successfully applied them to address a real-world problem. The photos and data provide clear evidence of the results, and the final binder design is creative, portable, and practical. The conclusion shows a deep understanding of why some designs failed and why the final design succeeded. Overall, this is a highly advanced and well-executed project.