Challenge:

The challenge was to develop a device, both theoretically and practically, which could efficiently get irradiated by sun and convert the sunlight to electrical energy. The secondary challenge that needed to be addressed was to make the device mobile and passive in nature, so that remote areas with lack of electricity could be benefited.

Selection:

The selection of methodology for development and fabrication of the device was done, on the basis of process optimization, and various materials were lined out which were required for the successful assembly of the proposed model. The need was of an high-efficacy working method for the system, that could generate efficient and optimum output in the form of electrical wattage. In place of assembled solar panels, which are manufactured at high price as well as cover a large area, solar cells, made from recycled material, were selected for further examination.

Application:

Solar flower consists of a module which comprises of solar cells marshaled in order to be connected in series. The base supports four petal-like structures which have 12 solar cells embedded on each of them. The solar cells are struck by sunlight causing them to attain conductivity, and hence they conduct electricity. The energy from sun is supplied in the form of DC which can be later modified into AC by using energy conversion system. The selected method was implemented in order to achieve a system that rendered to be efficient and

transportable simultaneously.

Insight:

The application of the selected methodology enabled the team to gather some important and crucial date and statistics, that would lead the way in successful fabrication of the proposed device. It was found that the

output produced by the panels, on an individual basis, was volatile in nature. The produced values of parameters were actually varying around a fix mean with a slight standard deviation, which wasn’t measured due to lack of sophisticated instruments. But, it did give us the idea, that the produced output would not be linear and would instead be varying in nature.

Approach:

The approach that the team adopted was influenced by pedestrian data, which the team extrapolated from prior works in the field. Although, due to uniqueness of the device and its disparate nature, as compared to the work currently being done or that has already been done in the field, it came as a learning lesson for the team to reiterate and enhance the procedure involved for the development of a better and more productive working method. This was achieved in the efficacy trials done on the prototype later on, In prototyping and testing phase. The team was able to produce, record and comprehend data for the device, which helped then in conjecturing the performance output of the device, when connected to various different electronics for charging purposes.

