Band 9: The diagrams show the structure of the solar panel and its use Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below. Summarize the information by selecting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The diagrams illustrate the basic structure of a simple solar panel and show how it can be used to heat air and water by using energy from the sun.

Overall, the device converts sunlight into thermal energy, which warms either air or water as it passes through the panel before being released through an outlet. The system works on the same principle in both cases, differing only in the medium being heated.

The solar panel itself consists of a rectangular box with a transparent glass top that allows sunlight to enter. It has two openings on opposite sides – an inlet for cool air or water and an outlet for the heated output.

In the first application, cool air enters through the inlet, where it is exposed to solar radiation inside the box. As the sun’s rays strike the internal surface, the air warms and exits through the outlet as warm air. Similarly, in the second process, cool water is introduced through a pipe that runs in coils inside the panel. The water absorbs heat from the sun and flows out through the outlet as warm water.