INQUIRY-BASED APPROACH TO TEACHING PHOTOVOLTAICS

Solar energy is indispensable since solar power is not only widespread but also it has the potential to be used more widely in daily life technology. To supply the usage of solar energy resources in an effective way, schools have to encourage students' conscious learning styles which can be achieved via the use of inquiry-based approach. This approach predominantly promotes deep learning and increases students' interest in science rather than simple memorization. Especially it is an approach that places students' questions, ideas, perspectives and observations at the center of the learning experience. This paper reports on an experimental study to explore the effect of inquiry learning method on understanding photovoltaic concepts. We have built solar tracker to produce exactly the sun's path on its orbit and to estimate the power produced by a halogen light source on solar panels with different coordinates. The solar tracker can be controlled by a computer using an usb port. It is automated system built using the microcontroller called Arduino. Students measured the IV characteristics of amorphous and polycrystalline solar cells from the surface of the model building. The solar tracker facilitated learning of the solar cell concepts with great opportunity in an interactive style. It is an easy and low-cost solution that helps students get a better understanding of the subject. After the inquiry based learning approach to the lessons which solar tracker was used perception survey is distributed to students. According to perception survey it can be stated that inquiry-based learning increased students' attention, concentration span on learning.

太阳能不可或缺，这是因为太阳能不仅分布广泛，更具备在日常科技中进一步推广应用的潜力。为高效利用太阳能资源，学校需引导学生养成自主学习模式，而探究式学习法（inquiry-based approach）正是实现这一目标的有效路径。该方法核心在于推动深度学习，提升学生对科学的兴趣，而非单纯的机械记忆；其核心理念是以学生的疑问、观点、视角与观察为学习体验的核心。本研究通过一项实验探究了探究式学习法对学生理解光伏（photovoltaic）概念的影响。我们搭建了太阳追踪器（solar tracker），以精准模拟太阳在其运行轨道上的路径，并测算不同坐标下卤素光源照射光伏板所产生的电能。该太阳追踪器可通过计算机的USB端口进行控制，其为一套基于Arduino单片机搭建的自动化系统。学生们在模型建筑表面测量了非晶态与多晶态太阳能电池的电流-电压（IV）特性。该太阳追踪器为学生提供了交互式学习光伏概念的优质契机，有效助力相关知识的学习。这是一套简便易行且成本低廉的解决方案，可帮助学生更深入地掌握相关学科知识。在采用太阳追踪器开展探究式学习课程后，我们向学生发放了感知调查问卷。根据调查问卷结果可知，探究式学习提升了学生的学习专注力与持续注意力时长。