To demonstrate how solar panels and wind turbines generate clean, renewable energy and convert it into electricity for daily use.
Materials Required
For Solar Panel Section:
- Small solar panel (readily available online/local electronics shop)
- LED bulb or small motor
- Wires, switch, and battery (optional)
For Wind Turbine Section:
- DC motor (as generator)
- Paper/cardboard blades or plastic fan
- Stick/skewer (as turbine pole)
- Base platform (cardboard/wood)
- LED bulb or small buzzer
- Wires and glue
Common Items:
- Cardboard for base
- Poster paper for labeling
- Paint/markers for decorating
- Optional: Model house to show power supply
How to Make – Step-by-Step:
Solar Panel Setup:
- Mount a small solar panel on cardboard facing upward.
- Connect wires to an LED bulb or a small DC motor (fan).
- Place under a light source or sunlight to demonstrate electricity flow.
Wind Turbine Setup:
- Attach cardboard/plastic blades to the shaft of a DC motor.
- Fix the motor on a vertical pole (chopstick/stick) on the base.
- Connect wires from the motor to an LED or buzzer.
- Blow air with a fan or by hand to rotate the blades – electricity lights up the LED.
Concepts to Explain:
- Conversion of solar energy → electrical energy
- Conversion of kinetic wind energy → mechanical energy → electrical energy
- Advantages of renewable energy (clean, infinite, low carbon)
- Differences between non-renewable and renewable sources