one million students lesson 1: solar energy- an introduction

ONE MILLION STUDENTS

Lesson 1: Solar Energy- An

Introduction

AGENDA

• Source of energy• Renewable versus non-renewable energy• Impact of non-renewable energy• The solar alternative• Review

USES OF ENERGY

1. What sort of things do you use electricity for everyday?• cell phone, computer, video games,

refrigeration, cooking…

2. What would you do if you didn’t have electricity to do those things?

3. How would it make you feel?

TYPES OF ENERGY

OilNuclearGeothermalNatural GasWindHydroelectricCoalEthanolTidal

…but we’re forgetting one!

SOLAR ENERGY

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Where our energy comes from:

US Energy Sources 2012

From http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you

Nuclear19%

Hydroelectric7%

Oil, Solar, Geothermal, Others2% Biomass

1%

Coal 37%

Natural Gas30%

Wind4%

California Energy Usage

Hydroelectric14%

Electricity in California 2010

http://energyalmanac.ca.gov/overview/energy_sources.html

Renewable15%

Coal2%

NaturalGas53%

Nuclear16%

RENEWABLE VERSUS NON-RENEWABLE

Non-renewable resources are Scarce

• Scarce : (adj) rare; not abundant

• Needed by many people• World is slowly running out

Renewable Resources

• Can use again• Will Not Run Out• Problem: not available

everywhere

Energy Renewable Clean Safe Low Cost Notes

Fossil Fuels no no yes/no no Mining, oil drilling are dangerous. Fossil fuels cause fires.

Nuclear no yes no yes/no Very high cost to setup but low cost after installation.

Solar yes yes yes yes/no Solar panels are inefficient and take space

Wind yes yes yes yes/no High cost and space to setup. Not consistent

Biomass yes no yes yes Need land to produce bio fuel

Hyrdroelectric yes yes yes yes/no Low cost to maintain. Not cost effective or possible everywhere

Tidal yes yes yes yes Tidal energy only lasts 10 hours a day.

Geothermal no yes yes yes High cost to setup. Not available everywhere.

People yes yes yes yes Travel by foot or bike is slow and takes time

Sources of Energy Cheat Sheet

adapted from Potato Clocks and Solar Cars. Elizabeth Raum. Raintree. 2008, chicago.

IMPACT OF NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Impact to the Earth

• Greenhouse gases deteriorate the ozone layer protecting Earth • Earth heats up and melts our planet’s icecaps

which in turn:• Destroy habitats for animals, humans and

plants everywhere• Change our agricultural land (with lower

regions heating, populations move around, altering the uses of land) • Changes the climate

THE SOLAR ALTERNATIVE

WHY SOLAR

• Solar energy is renewable; the Sun will not “run out”

• Solar Energy is eco-friendly; it does not harm the Earth

• The Sun is easily available and accessible. It rises everyday

• The Sun is clean and healthy; it does not harm life on Earth or our atmosphere with toxic fumes.

Classroom Demonstration:

Using Solar to light up an LED

Review Questions:1. How many people lack access to electricity around the world?

1.3 billion people

2. What are some of the benefits of Solar lighting?

a. Higher Productivityb. Increase Incomec. Savingsd. Decrease in respiratory diseasese. Additional study hours for students

3. Why should we use solar?

a. The sun will not “run out”. It is renewable and will last a long time.b. The sun is eco-friendly and does not harm the Earthc. There are no carbon emissions that are leading to global warmingd. The sun is easily accessible and availablee. The sun is clean and healthy. It does not harm human beings with toxic fumes