Science Kits Shed Light on Solar Power
One benefit of fall--and our return to standard time--is that we now rise to find sunshine, instead of gloomy half-light. On the other hand, darkness descends awfully early in the evening.
But instead of stewing in the dark, this could be an opportunity to raise our consciousness about the importance of a simple thing like sunlight. For kids, especially those interested in science, they now have an incentive to try to “capture” some sunlight--at least its power--via high-tech solar collectors for experiments in school and even for toy airplanes, helicopters and water mills.
A San Fernando Valley-based firm, Sun-Mate Corp., the largest U.S. company that specializes in making solar-powered toys and educational devices, has linked up with the famous public TV science teacher, Bill Nye, to market an array of gizmos and experiment kits that enable kids to grab, and make clever use of, even the dimmest ray of sunshine.
These kits contain photovoltaic cells similar to those used in the digital watches and calculators you see everywhere. But, by connecting them with the electric motors, thermometers, volt meters, stroboscopes and liquid-crystal display panels included in a science kit, kids can do more than just learn the time of day.
“When they get the whole thing together and it starts to work, they can see the relationship with the sun as an energy source,” Rami Ben-Moshay, president of Sun-Mate, said, describing the reaction of kids who have assembled one of the company’s model airplane or windmill kits. “It’s an eye-opener.”
Another eye-opener for these kids is Bill Nye, who can be seen brandishing solar equipment on his daily after-school TV show. It’s distributed nationally from Burbank by the Disney Corp. and aired locally on the PBS station.
According to TV Guide, “Nye’s natural nuttiness . . . fits right into the science craze among grade-school and junior-high viewers.”
When unleashed on the topic of solar energy, Nye can fuel this “craze.” He wants kids to know, “I’ve always thought solar power was cool. It uses the sun to make things happen . . . no gasoline, no nuclear power plants, just pure, clean sunshine.”
The Sun-Mate solar-powered windmill, for instance, doesn’t use wind to produce electricity, but rather uses sunlight to power an electric motor to make wind.
One real-world application of this technology in some cities is the production of power for running air conditioners. Several utility companies, including Southern California Edison in Ventura County, have programs that promote home installation of solar technology.
In these cases, the power company installs on customers’ roofs a large version of the same thing kids are getting in their science kits. It can also be linked with a battery rig to run your lights, TV, fridge, etc. The home application is experimental because, while non-polluting, solar is more expensive as a means of generating electricity than is the burning of coal or oil.
Another real-world application of solar energy--and one in which Ben-Moshay’s company is directly involved--is the linking of photovoltaic cells to run radios. The line of sun-powered portable radios that he regularly sells to various California municipal airport authorities--for emergency use if there’s a power failure--may be purchased by any kid who wants to use one to listen to rock ‘n’ roll stations.
The sun is used to keep the radio’s rechargeable batteries going. There is even a neat little built-in crank to generate power in case the user is stuck in a sunless bunker.
Parents note: These solar powered radios, which run around $30, do not subsequently require an unending supply of batteries.
And “no batteries required” is a good thing for the environment, as any science-crazed 7-year-old will tell you, because you’re not putting toxic used batteries in the landfill.
These kids will also tell you that photovoltaic cells will eventually catch up price-wise with conventional means of generating home power.
When that day comes, you can bet Bill Nye will announce it on his show. And you’ll hear about it from your kids, who will then pester you to buy a monster-size kit to put on your roof--and some rechargeable batteries to store juice for nighttime.
But that will be OK: After the initial bite out of your wallet, you’ll never get an electric bill again.
DETAILS
* HOT STUFF: Solar-powered toys and science kits from Sun-Mate Corp. are available direct from the firm, (818) 883-7766.
* ON TV: Bill Nye may be seen at 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday on KCET, the Los Angeles PBS affiliate. Check your cable guide for the number of the channel in your area.
* FYI: For information about utility companies offering solar equipment on an experimental basis to generate home electricity, call Solar Energy Industries Assn., (800) 225-7799.
