This unit is intended for science students in grades 9-12. Most specifically the unit addresses the content and inquiry standards included in the ninth grade curriculum of the New Haven Public School District which focuses on electricity and alternative energies. In these units students are exposed very briefly to solar energy with very little depth of knowledge. This unit is written to give students a working knowledge of how photovoltaic devices can transform solar radiation into electricity. It is also well suited for environmental science.
The purpose of the unit is to give students a firm understanding of photovoltaics (PV) how they work, what variables influence them, and how many are needed to power our current electricity needs. The unit focuses on the following objectives:
Objectives
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
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1. Describe the process of converting solar radiation to electricity using a crystalline silicon solar cell.
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2. Measure current and voltage of a PV cell.
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3. Determine how lighting and shading, the angle of the Sun, wavelength, distance, and temperature affect PV cell performance.
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4. Determine the number of PV cells necessary to power a home.
Methods
This unit is best delivered in alternating lecture and hands-on practice activities. Because electricity cannot be seen it is important to ground the student in reality at every opportunity. Some possible lessons have been included in the activities section.