I am learning about how to connect solar panels to power banks or a converter, so I am able to charge a phone. Series have a negative lead on one side and positive on the other. In series it doubles its voltage and keeps the amp hours. Parallel has negative to negative and positive to positive. Keeping the same voltage, but doubles the amp hours. Series and parallel at the same time. To do that you have to have 4 batteries and connect parallel twice and then use series to connect the two, This doubles both the voltage and the amp hours. Use parallel when you want longer hours, for example off grid solar power needs longer time in case of overcast days or if you don’t have sun there can still be power. For series you use it if you need more voltage.
I learned about how batteries and solar panels work and which types I should use. I researched which types of systems to use and when to use them. For the purpose of this project a USB output module will be the most helpful and the easiest to use. I made a diagram of what this system could look like using the output device. It would be fairly simple to connect. Then I created a picture of what the prototype could look like with the wires connected to the output device.
This ties back into class because we are trying to incorporate art and engineering into a usable design. Solar panels help reduce the amount of energy used and is a good first step to take when wanting to better the environment. This is a key part to help our project function. Being able to have solar panels that are able to charge a phone while being hidden in a pot will help people see not all solar panels are ugly.
Creative collaborative arts 