1. ONE MILLION STUDENTS Lesson 1: Solar Energy- An Introduction

2. AGENDA
Source of energy
Renewable versus non-renewable energy
Impact of non-renewable energy
The solar alternative
Review

3. What sort of things do you use electricity for everyday?
USES OF ENERGY
What sort of things do you use electricity for everyday?
cell phone, computer, video games, refrigeration, cooking…
What would you do if you didn’t have electricity to do those things?
3. How would it make you feel?

4. Oil Nuclear Geothermal Natural Gas Wind Hydroelectric Coal Ethanol
TYPES OF ENERGY
Oil
Nuclear
Geothermal
Natural Gas
Wind
Hydroelectric
Coal
Ethanol
Tidal

5. …but we’re forgetting one!

6. SOLAR ENERGY

7. ENERGY CONSUMPTION

8. Where our energy comes from:
Oil, Solar,
Geothermal,
Others 2%
Where our energy comes from:
Biomass 1%
Wind 4%
Hydroelectric 7%
Coal
37%
Nuclear
19%
US Energy Sources 2012
Natural Gas
30%
From

9. California Energy Usage
Renewable
15%
California Energy Usage
Coal 2%
Hydroelectric
14%
NaturalGas
53%
Nuclear
16%
Electricity in California 2010

10. RENEWABLE VERSUS NON-RENEWABLE

11. Non-renewable resources are Scarce
Scarce : (adj) rare; not abundant
Needed by many people
World is slowly running out

12. Renewable Resources Can use again Will Not Run Out
Problem: not available everywhere

13. Sources of Energy Cheat Sheet Energy Renewable Clean Safe Low Cost
Notes
Fossil Fuels no
yes/no
Mining, oil drilling are dangerous.
Fossil fuels cause fires.
Nuclear
yes
Very high cost to setup but low cost after installation.
Solar
Solar panels are inefficient and take space
Wind
High cost and space to setup. Not consistent
Biomass
Need land to produce bio fuel
Hyrdroelectric
Low cost to maintain. Not cost effective or possible everywhere
Tidal
Tidal energy only lasts 10 hours a day.
Geothermal
High cost to setup. Not available everywhere.
People
Travel by foot or bike is slow and takes time
adapted from Potato Clocks and Solar Cars. Elizabeth Raum. Raintree. 2008, chicago.

14. IMPACT OF NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

15. 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
Ask: what is global warming?
Why is it bad?

16. THE SOLAR ALTERNATIVE

17. 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.
Ask: what is global warming?
Why is it bad?

18. Classroom Demonstration: Using Solar to light up an LED
Have kids make suggestions

19. 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?
Higher Productivity
Increase Income
Savings
Decrease in respiratory diseases
Additional study hours for students
Have kids make suggestions
3. Why should we use solar?
The sun will not “run out”. It is renewable and will last a long time.
The sun is eco-friendly and does not harm the Earth
There are no carbon emissions that are leading to global warming
The sun is easily accessible and available
The sun is clean and healthy. It does not harm human beings with toxic fumes