Solar Energy

How can we harness the heat from the sun to heat our water, our home, and our buildings? Research solar energy and make an outline about heat from the sun and the methods we currently have to harness and use it. Our methods include solar thermal or the direct heating of water for use in our hot water supplies or the heating of our pools. Solar Voltaics use sunlight to release electrons in a photovoltaic cell, or array of cells, and to generate electricity. Solar panels also use light to release electrons on photovoltaic cells and the electrons are then used to generate electricity. Research and diagram solar thermal, solar voltaic, and different types of solar panels. In your report, discuss the cost, size, mounting, and maintenance of each different type.

Now that you are thinking about harnessing the power of the sun, let’s look a little closer at how we will actually manage to do this. Take a look at this NOVA presentation to get inside of a solar panel. Look at how the photovoltaic cells are primed with sheets of boron and phosphorous to create a magnetic field. Next, let the sun shine! When the sun heats the magnetic fields it pushes electrons to shift to metal conductors. This energy becomes a source of electricity that can be stored, transformed and used. Make a diagram that labels these steps.

Become a solar power engineer! Check out how solar panels work!

Now that you know about types of solar collectors, open up Google Earth and start studying your community from above as if you were the sun. Look for the north arrow. Google Earth opens with the north air pointing up. Search for you community and zoom in until you can see the rooftops of buildings. Note where the sun rises and where the sun sets on your community. This is important to finding flat and sloped roofs that face south and can support solar panels. Print off a section or sections of community in black and white. Use post it notes to suggest solar energy types in different locations. Think about solar panels for hot waters in homes. Think about solar thermal for car washes and swimming pools. Think about photovoltaics for electricity in homes, businesses and community infrastructure. Take a picture of your Google Map wit notes and post its. Get some feedback from your friends and teachers. Perhaps you can even take it into village hall or to the mayor of your city. Consider all of the ideas you learn. Imagine which ones do you think would be possible first, second and third. This time use Scribble Maps and actually place appropriately sized solar panels in three phases. Use bright yellow for Phase 1. Use light yellow for Phase 2. Finish with a third shade of yellow to show how many areas you can impact with solar energy in your community.