VEA
Bringing Learning to Life
Program Support Notes
Junior – Middle Secondary
Catching the Sun
The Physics of Solar
Energy
Teacher Notes by Amanda
Bianco, B.Sc.Ed.
Produced by VEA Pty Ltd
Commissioning Editor Lisa Tancredi B.A.,
Executive Producer Simon Garner B.Ed.
© VEA Pty Ltd 2008
Suitable for:
Science
Physics
To order or inquire please contact VEA:
VEA Inc.
10 Mitchell Place
Suite 103
White Plains, NY 10601
Ph: 866 727 0840
Fax: 866 727 0839
E-mail
vea@veavideo.com
Website
www.veavideo.com
Dip.Ed.
18 mins
Catch the Sun – The Physics of Solar Energy
For Teachers:
Introduction
The sun is a large ball of burning gases with a surface temperature of more than 5000oC. It supports all
life on earth. This program looks at the sun and the solar energy that it provides. It describes
photovoltaic power and how the sun’s energy can be harnessed and used to provide a clean and
inexhaustible source of power. It also looks at future developments in solar technology from faster
solar cars to cheaper solar panels and more efficient solar farms. The sun is a source of power that
cannot be ignored in the quest to reduce the world’s reliance on polluting fossil fuels.
Program Timeline
00:00:00
00:00:59
00:02:40
00:06:46
00:08:55
00:11:59
00:15:36
00:16:54
00:18:12
Introduction
What Is Solar Energy?
Solar Photovoltaic Power
Solar Thermal Power - Heat
Solar Thermal Power - Electricity
Solar Developments
Conclusion
Credits
End Program
Useful Resources
Evans, R L (2007) Fuelling Our Future: An Introduction to Sustainable Energy. Cambridge
University Press: Cambridge.
Green M A (2000) Power to the People: Sunlight to Electricity Using Solar Cells. UNSW Press:
Sydney.
Morris, N (2006) Solar Power. Franklin Watts: London, Sydney.
Richards, J (2007) Future Energy. Macmillan Education: South Yarra, Vic.
Website References
•
•
•
•
http://www.worldofenergy.com.au/07_factsheets.html
http://www.gosolarpower.com/
http://www.solarcentury.co.uk/
http://www.nrel.gov/learning/
Other Relevant Programs available from VEA
•
•
DC Electricity – Discovery and Developments
Electromagnetic Radiation
Please visit our website for more relevant programs www.veavideo.com
VEA – Bringing learning to life
-2© VEA Pty Ltd 2008
Catch the Sun – The Physics of Solar Energy
Student Worksheet:
Before Viewing the Program
1.
What issues are associated with the continued use of fossil fuels?
2.
List as many alternative energy sources as you can.
3.
How is solar power currently being used?
-3© VEA Pty Ltd 2008
Catch the Sun – The Physics of Solar Energy
While Viewing the Program
What is solar energy?
1.
Describe what solar energy is.
2.
List three advantages of solar energy.
3.
How can solar energy be used?
Solar voltaic power
4.
Fill in the blanks.
In solar panels: Photovoltaic
Turn
collect
energy into
energy.
5.
Who was Alessandro Volta?
6.
Describe what happens inside a solar panel.
7.
A group of panels together is called an
8.
A full solar panel set up includes three parts. What are they and what do they do?
9.
What is a kilowatt hour?
-4© VEA Pty Ltd 2008
Catch the Sun – The Physics of Solar Energy
Solar thermal power – heat
10.
Describe how a solar hot water service makes use of the sun’s radiant heat.
Solar thermal power – electricity
11.
What does CSP stand for and how is it produced?
12.
What is superheated water?
13.
Describe how a solar thermal plant produces electricity.
Solar developments
14.
What are scientists working on to improve solar technology?
15.
In the future, what vehicles could be powered by solar energy?
16.
Why isn’t everyone using solar power?
-5© VEA Pty Ltd 2008
Catch the Sun – The Physics of Solar Energy
After Viewing the Program
1.
What proportion of Australia’s power is currently provided by solar energy?
2.
What, if any, government rebates are currently available for the installation of domestic solar
systems?
3.
Investigate the world’s largest solar thermal power plant in the Mojave Desert, USA.
•
How big is it?
•
How does it use the sun’s energy to produce electricity?
•
How much power does it produce?
•
What is this power used for?
-6© VEA Pty Ltd 2008
Catch the Sun – The Physics of Solar Energy
Suggested Student Responses
What is solar energy?
1.
Describe what solar energy is.
Heat and light from the sun
2.
List three advantages of solar energy.
Clean, free, inexhaustible
3.
How can solar energy be used?
To produce electricity, heat homes, heat water
Solar voltaic power
4.
Fill in the blanks.
In solar panels:
Photovoltaic modules → collect energy from the sun → turn solar energy into electrical energy.
5.
Who was Alessandro Volta?
Italian physicist, pioneer in field of electricity
6.
Describe what happens inside a solar panel.
A solar panel contains rows of solar cells which absorb photons (particles of light) which
cause electrons in semi conductors to be knocked loose from atoms. The movement of the
negatively charged electrons produces electricity.
7.
A group of solar panels together is called an array.
8.
A full solar panel set up includes three parts. What are they and what do they do?
Solar panel array
Inverter
Meter
9.
Creates DC power
Converts DC to AC for use in the home
Measures energy used in the home in kilowatt hours
What is a kilowatt hour?
When a 1 kilowatt appliance is used for 1 hour
Solar thermal power – heat
10. Describe how a solar hot water service makes use of the sun’s radiant heat.
Sun generates radiant heat. Water circulated through black hose which absorbs heat and
heats water. Hoses placed beneath glass which traps heat inside. Water heated in pipes and
delivered to shower or washing machine hot.
Solar thermal power – electricity
11. What does CSP stand for and how is it produced?
Concentrated Solar Power – large area of sunlight focused into single beam by curved
mirrors
12. What is superheated water?
Water heated to temperature higher than its standard boiling point
13. Describe how a solar thermal plant produces electricity.
Sunlight → CSP → heat steam → moves turbine → generator converts mechanical energy
to electrical energy → electricity used in homes, schools, businesses
-7© VEA Pty Ltd 2008
Catch the Sun – The Physics of Solar Energy
Solar Developments
14. What are scientists working on to improve solar technology?
Making panels cheaper to produce, creating new materials to absorb sunlight, new designs
for solar cells, floating solar collectors, solar farms
15. In the future, what vehicles could be powered by solar energy?
Boats, planes, balloons, airships
16. Why isn’t everyone using solar power?
People resistant to change, cost of installation
-8© VEA Pty Ltd 2008