Renewable Energy – Solar Power

This scene take the form of a solar farm and students can observe how it is set up to work efficiently as well as consider drawbacks of using solar panels. They will be able to develop an understanding how sunlight is harnessed to generate electricity and how it is managed to and distributed to households.

# Learning objectives

1: Be able to describe that solar energy is a renewable source of energy{.info}

2: Be able to explain how electricity is made from solar energy{.info}

3: Be able to outline advantages and disadvantages of Solar panels{.info}

# Energy from the Sun{.objective .objective1}

In this section, a description of solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels as a source of energy will be provided. In a human being’s lifetime, solar energy can be continuously harnessed without it running out. Solar panels will be introduced and described as a devise that will absorb solar radiation, mainly light, and transform it into electricity.

# Generating Electricity{.objective .objective2}

In this section, how solar panels work will be outlined. The design allows a lot of light to be absorbed, which in turn generated an electrical current (DC) within the solar panels electrical circuit. The purpose of the system is to then convert the DC electrical flow into alternating current (AC) by an inverter. That purpose is to ensure safe transport of electricity to a transformer that sends electricity to households via overhead cables.

# Drawbacks of Solar Panels{.objective .objective3}

In this section, the efficiency of solar panels will be evaluated. As solar panels rely on solar energy to generate electricity, students will be able to explore the scene and identify examples of factors that could impact the efficiency of solar panels. This can include cloudy weather, seasonal changes to intensity of sunlight, material covering the panels such as dirt, bird droppings, or simply having the panels facing the wrong angle and not facing the sun directly. The main point of discussion should be that these factors will reduce the light reaching the conductive part of the solar panels.