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Theme II: Developing Energy Resources The Miracle of Solar Cells

Theme II: Developing Energy Resources The Miracle of Solar Cells KEEP Educator’s Activity Guide pgs 158 -160 KEEP Student Guide pgs 138 -143 NRES 730 - Energy Education in the Classroom Kristi Hawk April 4, 2008 . The Miracle of Solar Cells. 4. Anatomy of a PV Cell. 1. Background Info.

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Theme II: Developing Energy Resources The Miracle of Solar Cells

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  1. Theme II: Developing Energy Resources The Miracle of Solar Cells KEEP Educator’s Activity Guide pgs 158 -160 KEEP Student Guide pgs 138 -143 NRES 730 - Energy Education in the Classroom Kristi Hawk April 4, 2008

  2. The Miracle of Solar Cells 4. Anatomy of a PV Cell 1. Background Info 2. Prompts 5. Electricity 3. Investigate 6. More Resources

  3. The Miracle of Solar CellsStudent Background Information Students should have a basic understanding of ~ the sun as our primary supplier of energy ~ energy conversions ~ the atom and the ability of electrons to move ~ energy uses and the need for electricity ~ the differences between non-renewable and renewable resources ~ basic electrical concepts such as current, conductivity, and open and closed circuits Menu

  4. The Miracle of Solar CellsStudent Prompts • A solar cell is also known as a photovoltaic (PV) cell. What is the meaning for the prefix “photo”? What meaning do you derive from the base word “voltaic”? • What or where are some homes or businesses which use solar panels? • What items are you aware of which utilize solar cells? • How is the childhood game of Red Rover, Red Rover played? How can this game be like the way a solar cell works? Menu

  5. The Miracle of Solar CellsInvestigation Materials: ~ Solar Cells ~ Motors and fan blades ~ Solar Cars Investigate: What do you observe about the PV cell? What possible significance would the dark color of the PV cell have? How can you make the motor spin? Or stop spinning? Menu

  6. The Miracle of Solar CellsAnatomy of a Solar Cell Most PV cells are made using Silicon. Atomic Structure of Si Silicon will bond with 4 other Si atoms. Silicon is “doped” by adding a few Phosphorus atoms. N (negative) layer of silicon is created. P (positive) layer does not contain free electrons (doped w/ Boron). Both sides are electrically neutral before solar energy is added. PV cells have several layers of materials. Menu

  7. The Miracle of Solar CellsHow a PV Cell Makes Electricity Solar energy photons are absorbed by the non-reflective coating. This energy releases electrons from the N layer. Some P layer electrons are pushed through the junction to replace the vacated electrons’ spots. This current and voltage powers the electrical load. Solar disruption ends the flow of electrons. DC energy can be stored in batteries. It can also be converted to AC and sold back to the utility. Menu

  8. The Miracle of Solar CellsMore Resources • We Energies Educator Renewable Energy Kit • http://www.we-energies.com/educators/classroom/index.htm • Discovery Channel’s MYTHBUSTERS – “Archimedes’ Death Ray” • Large Scale Electrical Production • Array in CaliforniaFurnace in Odeillo, France Tower in Seville, Spain • They Must Be Giants song “Why Does the Sun Shine?” : • The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyz7e8iQ6Uo

  9. The Miracle of Solar CellsThey Might Be Giants – Why Does the Sun Shine? Lyrics The sun is a mass of incandescent gasA gigantic nuclear furnaceWhere hydrogen is built into heliumAt a temperature of millions of degreesThe sun is hot, the sun is nota place where we could liveBut here on Earth there'd be no lifeWithout the light it givesWe need its lightWe need its heatThe sunlight that we see The sunlight comes from our own sun'satomic energy The sun is a mass of incandescent gasA gigantic nuclear furnaceWhere hydrogen is built into heliumAt a temperature of millions of degreesThe sun is hot- The sun is so hot that everything on it is a gas: aluminum, copper, iron, and many others. The sun is large - If the sun were hollow, a million Earths would fit inside. And yet, it is only a middle-sized star. The sun is far away - About 93 million miles away, and that's why it looks so small.But even when it's out of sightThe sun shines night and dayWe need its heatWe need its lightThe sunlight that we seeThe sunlight comes from our own sun'satomic energyScientists have found that the sun is a huge atom-smashing machine. The heat and light of the sun are caused by nuclear reactions between hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, and helium.*The sun is a mass of incandescent gasA gigantic nuclear furnaceWhere hydrogen is built into heliumAt a temperature of millions of degrees The End

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