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Grade: 9-12 Version 4.1 June 2016 School Solar Analysis Design, size, and site a school solar system while learning solar science and building career skills www.seiinc.org ! Welcome to the Solar Analysis Curriculum This package: !! Includes four interactive lessons designed for the high school level (grades 9-12) !! Provides hands-on training in solar energy and solar system design !! Addresses Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards, and California Technical Education Standards The Solar Analysis curriculum was developed by Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI), a non-profit organization that provides energy efficiency and renewable energy consulting and related services to the cornerstones of all communities - schools, local governments, the workforce and the housing sector. For more information, visit http://www.seiinc.org. Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 1 ! Table of Contents Curriculum Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4! Curriculum Key ............................................................................................................................ 4! Setting the Stage .......................................................................................................................................................... 5! ActivitIes .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5! Assignments .................................................................................................................................................................... 5! Handouts ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5! Extensions ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5! Academic Content Standards ...................................................................................................... 6! Materials List .............................................................................................................................. 9! Background for Lessons ............................................................................................................................................ 10! School Solar Analysis Pre & Post Test .................................................................................................................... 12! School Solar Analysis Pre & Post Test: Teacher Key ........................................................................................... 15! Lesson 1: Energy & Climate Systems .......................................................................................... 18! Key Words .................................................................................................................................................................. 18! Preparation ................................................................................................................................................................. 19! Setting the Stage: Energy Sources ......................................................................................................................... 20! Optional Activity: Energy Sources Pros & Cons ................................................................................................... 23! Setting the Stage: Generating Electricity .............................................................................................................. 23! Activity 1: Building a Generator ............................................................................................................................. 24! Discussion: Turbine Generators ................................................................................................................................ 26! Setting the Stage: Carbon Cycle ............................................................................................................................ 27! Optional Activity: Carbon Movement Through Reservoirs ................................................................................. 30! Optional Activity: Carbon’s Journey ...................................................................................................................... 30! Assessment ................................................................................................................................................................... 31! Demonstration: The Greenhouse Effect .................................................................................................................. 31! Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32! Setting the Stage: The Greenhouse Effect ............................................................................................................ 33! Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................................... 35! Activity 2: Strength of the Evidence ....................................................................................................................... 36! Optional Activity: Climate Science Research Project .......................................................................................... 36! Assessment ................................................................................................................................................................... 37! Handout: Energy Sources Pros and Cons............................................................................................................... 38! Handout: Poster Presentation Guide ...................................................................................................................... 40! Handout: Building a Generator .............................................................................................................................. 41! Handout: Carbon Movement Through Reservoirs ................................................................................................ 43! Handout: Carbon’s Journey ..................................................................................................................................... 44! Carbon’s Journey: Teacher Key .............................................................................................................................. 47! Handout: Greenhouse Effect Experiment .............................................................................................................. 48! Handout: Strength of the Evidence ......................................................................................................................... 50! Handout: Strength of the Evidence Data Organizer........................................................................................... 55! Lesson 2: Solar Science ............................................................................................................. 57! Key Words .................................................................................................................................................................. 57! Preparation ................................................................................................................................................................. 58! Activity 1: Energy and Solar ................................................................................................................................... 58! Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................................... 59! Setting the Stage: Energy, Power, and Solar ...................................................................................................... 59! Activity 2: Understanding Current .......................................................................................................................... 61! Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 2 ! Setting the Stage: Solar Electric Systems .............................................................................................................. 62! Activity 3: Solar Cell Demonstration ...................................................................................................................... 63! Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................................... 65! Assessment ................................................................................................................................................................... 65! Extensions .................................................................................................................................................................... 65! Setting the Stage: The Benefits of Solar ............................................................................................................... 66! Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................................... 68! Setting the Stage: Solar Industry ............................................................................................................................ 68! Assignment ................................................................................................................................................................... 72! Assessment ................................................................................................................................................................... 72! Handout: Computer Energy and Power Use ......................................................................................................... 73! Handout: Solar Research Project ............................................................................................................................ 74! Lesson 3: Sizing a School Solar Electric System .......................................................................... 75! Key Words .................................................................................................................................................................. 75! Preparation ................................................................................................................................................................. 76! Setting the Stage: Solar Design .............................................................................................................................. 76! Activity 1: Solar System Components..................................................................................................................... 77! Setting the Stage: Sizing A System ........................................................................................................................ 79! Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................................... 82! Activity 2: Sizing A Solar Electric System .............................................................................................................. 83! Discussion ..................................................................................................................................................................... 84! Handout: Solar System Design Cards .................................................................................................................... 85! Handout: Sizing a Solar Electric System ................................................................................................................ 91! Sizing a Solar Electric System: Teacher Key ........................................................................................................ 93! Lesson 4: Optimizing School Solar Performance through Design ................................................. 96! Key Words .................................................................................................................................................................. 96! Preparation ................................................................................................................................................................. 97! Activity 1: Investigating Maximizing Solar Power Production ........................................................................... 97! Setting the Stage: Solar Siting ................................................................................................................................ 97! Discussion ................................................................................................................................................................... 100! Activity 2: Solar System Site Assessment ............................................................................................................. 100! Handout: Maximizing Solar Power Production .................................................................................................. 102! Handout: Rooftop Solar Site Assessment ............................................................................................................. 105! Rooftop Solar Site Assessment: Teacher Key ..................................................................................................... 115! Handout: District/School Board Solar Proposal ................................................................................................. 125! Handout: Solar Proposal Letter Outline .............................................................................................................. 126! Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 3 Background: Exploring Solar Electric Systems ! Climate Change having some greenhouse effect is crucial to life. Unfortunately, by releasing GHGs into the atmosphere at an unprecedented rate, we are creating many environmental problems. The Carbon Cycle and Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere BACKGROUND FOR LESSONS Human actions have a global environmental impact. Our reliance on unsustainable fuel sources has caused an imbalance in the carbon cycle and led to global climate change. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas were formed when decaying plant and animal matter buried deep underground were subjected to unique conditions, including intense heat and pressure for millions of years. When we dig up these fuel sources and burn them for energy, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Because we are burning fossil fuels at a MUCH faster rate than they can be formed, we are not only running out of these fuel sources but we have created an overabundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The human contribution to the greenhouse effect is largely due to the burning of fossil fuels, but agricultural practices, deforestation, waste, and many other societal systems also add to the total human-sourced carbon dioxide that is accumulating in our atmosphere. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has measured historical levels of carbon dioxide on Earth over hundreds of thousands of years and discovered that over the last 200 years CO2 levels have increased from an average of 275 parts per million (ppm) to over 400ppm in 2013. 2 Consequences of Climate Change 1 The Greenhouse Effect Carbon dioxide, along with methane and nitrous oxide, are the most prevalent greenhouse gases (GHGs) on Earth. When solar radiation passes through the atmosphere and warms Earth’s surface, the warm Earth re-emits infrared radiation. Some of this radiation is naturally trapped in the atmosphere by GHGs. Therefore, the more GHGs we have in the atmosphere, the more infrared heat is trapped, raising the overall surface temperature of the Earth. If there were no greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, Earth’s surface would be too cold to survive, so !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Carbon cycle image courtesy of Dave Murro The large increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases over the last 200 years has triggered an increase in average global temperatures that leads to many impacts. With climate change, we expect to see and have already seen: extreme events such as floods, droughts, storms, and fires; intense heat waves; shifting weather patterns that threaten food and water supplies; changing disease patterns such as malaria in expanded areas of the world; shrinking ice sheets; and rising sea levels, displacing coastal communities around the world. ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 All images from 350.org from IPCC data Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 10 Background: Exploring Solar Electric Systems ! Alternative Energy ! One way to address the causes of climate change is to examine alternative sources of energy. Renewable energy is energy that comes from a source that is naturally replenished such as sunlight, wind, or waves. Renewable energy does not emit carbon dioxide in the production process. Solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) cells use the energy in photons, particles of light, to produce electricity. Solar power is becoming much more popular among homeowners and commercial building uses because it provides a safe, cost effective source of energy. Scientists at the IPCC have identified the highest safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to be 350 ppm. If we do not reduce our carbon dioxide emissions, we risk reaching a tipping point in global temperature that could threaten the ability of current species on Earth, including humans, to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Performing a solar assessment in a home, commercial building, or school is a way to assess the potential for solar power a home or building has and determine the cost effectiveness of transitioning to solar power. The results of a solar assessment can help consumers of energy make informed choices on how to best install solar in their home or business.!! Additional Resources !! EPA Sustainability & Climate Change Overviews www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ !! NASA’s Climate Change Overview http://climate.nasa.gov/ !! Climate Change Resources for Teachers http://www.teachclimatechange.org/ !! 350.org Climate Science Page http://www.350.org/en/about/science ! !! Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change http://www.ipcc.ch ! ! Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 11 School Solar Analysis Lesson 1: Energy & Climate Systems ! ! ! Lesson 1: Energy & Climate Systems! Lesson 1 Overview Estimate Time: 90 minutes (Two 45-minute periods) Standards: NGSS: HS-PS2-5, HS-ESS2-4, HS-ESS2-6, HSESS3-6 CCSS ELA Literacy: L:1, 6 S&L: Presentation of Knowledge & Ideas: 1a,c 4a,b, 5 WS: 4 RS: 7 CTE Energy, Environment & Utilities: A.0-A1.3, A2.0-A2.6, A3.0-A3.2, A7.0, A7.2-A7.5, B1.0, B1.1, B2.3 Engineering & Architecture: D4.0, D4.1, D4.4 Objectives: Students will be able to: •! Explain the stages of the carbon cycle •! Identify sources of energy sources and their consequences •! Demonstrate an understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change Handouts: •! 1.1 Energy Pros and Cons •! 1.2 Poster Presentation Guide •! 1.3 Building a Generator •! 1.4 Carbon Movement Through Reservoirs •! 1.5 Carbon’s Journey •! 1.6 Greenhouse Effect Experiment •! 1.7 Strength of the Evidence •! 1.8 Strength of the Evidence Data Organizer Prep Time: 1 hour Materials: •! PowerPoint presentation and projector •! Greenhouse Gas Demo: 2 2-liter clear soda bottles, 4 cups of water, 4 ~2500 mg sodium bicarbonate tablets (Alka Seltzer), 2 thermometers, funnel, watch •! Generator: Coil of wire, electrical leads, magnet, ammeter/multimeter This lesson creates an opportunity for discussing and understanding our energy choices in the context of climate change. Earth’s average temperature is rising due to human activities that release greenhouse gases, leading to changes in our climate. The largest share of these emissions comes from electricity production and consumption. Solar power offers a viable alternative for the production of electricity without the emission of greenhouse gases. KEY WORDS Climate: The average weather in a region over a relatively long period of time. Weather is measured over a shorter time period, such as one day or week Renewable Energy: Energy that comes from sources that are replenished on a human timescale such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower Non-Renewable Energy: Energy that comes from sources that are not replenished within a human timescale such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum Fossil Fuels: Energy sources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas that formed over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals subjected to tremendous heat and pressure underground. When burned, fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases Energy Density: The amount of energy available in a specific quantity of energy source Carbon Cycle: The combined process (including photosynthesis, decomposition, respiration, and combustion) by which carbon cycles between its major reservoirs - the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living organisms Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap infrared radiation in the atmosphere including water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 18 School Solar Analysis Lesson 1: Energy and Climate Science Greenhouse Effect: The warming effect caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs), which trap infrared radiation from the sun in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is vital to maintaining a hospitable climate for life on Earth, but increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases lead to changes in the Earth’s climate Parts Per Million (ppm): A unit of measurement for the concentration of gases in the atmosphere Infrared Radiation: Electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun. It has a longer wavelength and less energy than visible light, but a shorter wavelength and more energy than microwave radiation Climate Change: A significant change in Earth’s natural climate, leading to significant changes in temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns, among other impacts Carbon Footprint: A measure of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with our day-to-day demand on natural resources and our use of fossil fuels for buildings and transportation PREPARATION !! Gather required materials for the greenhouse effect demonstration (see the next section for the required materials). !! Review materials on climate science, including the carbon cycle resources from The Habitable Planet and the greenhouse effect. Use the PowerPoint included with the curriculum to cover these concepts with students. !! Print the following handouts: #! 1.1 Energy Pros and Cons – one per student #! 1.2 Poster Presentation Guide – one per student #! 1.3 Building a Generator – one per student #! 1.4 Carbon Movement Through Reservoirs – one class set #! 1.5 Carbon’s Journey – one per student #! 1.6 Greenhouse Gas Effect Experiment – one per student #! 1.7 Strength of the Evidence – one class set #! 1.8 Strength of the Evidence Data Organizer – one per student !! Practice building a mini generator and gather supplies so each group of 3-4 students can build a mini generator. Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 19 School Solar Analysis Lesson 1: Energy and Climate Science SETTING THE STAGE: ENERGY SOURCES !! Use the PowerPoint and the background material below to cover energy sources with students. !! Energy for electricity comes from two different types of sources: non-renewable and renewable. The most common types of non-renewable energy sources used worldwide are fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. 3 !! Electricity in the US comes from many different sources, but fossil fuel combustion is the largest generator of electricity. #! Fossil fuels were created 90-150 million years ago when the decomposing remains of buried plants and animals were subjected to a combination of unique circumstances including time (millions of years), tremendous heat, and pressure underground. Fossil fuels store carbon safely underground that is then released when burned to generate electricity or power our transportation vehicles. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 Image created by SEI media intern Abraham Lopez. Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 20 School Solar Analysis Lesson 1: Energy and Climate Science #! Non-renewable energy sources, including fossil fuels, are not replaced on a human timescale. Once they are used, they’re gone. #! Fossil fuels are burned in power plants to generate electricity. !! Fossil fuels have a relatively high energy density, but emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases when combusted. #! Coal is generally used for electricity and manufacturing in the United States and supplies nearly 40% of the country’s electricity. Coal has a relatively low cost per unit, but emits the most greenhouse gases. #! Oil, used for transportation and manufacturing, is the raw material for diesel, gasoline, and plastic products. #! Natural gas is used for heating, electricity, transportation, and manufacturing. Natural gas emits less greenhouse gases per unit of energy used than oil and coal. #! The production of electricity through nuclear power does not result in greenhouse gas emissions, but nuclear energy is considered a non-renewable resource because uranium, the fuel source of nuclear power, is non-renewable. Also, nuclear energy produces nuclear waste, a toxic, persistent byproduct. #! Large hydropower is also not considered a renewable form of energy even though it does not emit greenhouse gases because dams can harm the surrounding ecosystem by blocking the movement of fish and sediments in the river. !! Renewable energy comes from a source that does not run out on a human timescale. Examples of renewable energy include solar, wind, geothermal, small hydropower, and biomass. #! The table below shows the electricity resource mix for the United States and for California. Electricity Resource Mix 20144 Resource Type Coal Large Hydro Natural Gas Nuclear Petroleum Other Renewables US 39% 6% 27% 19% 1% <1% 7% CA 6.4% 5.5% 44.5% 8.5% 0.0% 0.0% 20.1% GHG Emissions Level High Low Medium Low High Low !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Source: CA: http://energyalmanac.ca.gov/electricity/total_system_power.html and US: https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=427&t=3 4 Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 21 School Solar Analysis Lesson 1: Energy and Climate Science #! The combustion of biofuels for electricity or transportation fuel emits greenhouse gases, but biofuels are considered carbon neutral since plants grown for fuel sequester the same amount of carbon that they release when burned as an energy source. #! Solar energy harnesses energy from the sun to create both heat and electricity. For example, solar water heaters use energy from the sun to heat water, and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells convert the sun’s energy into electricity. #! Wind energy uses the force of wind to rotate turbines to produce electricity. Wind farms are large collections of wind turbines that generate electricity. #! Geothermal energy comes from hot water or steam naturally created underground. Pipes are drilled into these sources to collect steam and turn turbines. Some geothermal power plants emit small amounts carbon dioxide and air pollutants, due to the presence of naturally occurring dissolved gases contained in most geothermal systems, but that amounts are significantly less than burning fossil fuels.5 #! Hydropower is created when the force of flowing water from rivers is used to turn turbines built inside a dam. Hydropower dams do not emit greenhouse gas emissions. However, they can harm the surrounding ecology by blocking the movement of fish and sediments in the river. Hydropower is the single largest source of renewable electrical energy in the US. #! Biomass energy is the burning of organic matter such as cow manure, agriculture waste, or methane from landfills to create energy. Biomass energy can be used for electricity or converted into fuel for transportation. Since biomass requires combustion, it does emit greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Other renewable energy sources do not generally emit greenhouse gases. !! Whether renewable or non-renewable, using any kind of energy source has pros and cons. For example, historically energy from coal was inexpensive, relative to other energy sources. This can be considered an economic advantage, or pro, of coal. However, mining and burning coal causes serious damage to the environment. This is an environmental disadvantage, or con, of coal. Have the class answer the following question in their journals, or discuss in pairs: #! What are some consequences of energy production? o! Monetary cost, depletion of finite resources, degradation from extraction, pollution, climate change #! Why do we use energy sources that have negative impacts on the environment and human health? Inform the class that they will be discussing the impacts of energy production on climate in the next lesson. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5 Source: http://geo-energy.org/reports/GeothermalGreenhouseEmissionsNov2012GEA_web.pdf Production of this document is exclusively limited to Strategic Energy Innovations. www.seiinc.org © 2016 22